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Ol   IAI   ITY     FHI  irATION-     Tr^ni"9  of  mind,  body  and  spirit 
^UrALI  I    I       LL^UW-M  I  WIN.     toqether  in  an  ideal  social   dim 


climate 


Brigham  Young  University  is  unique.  It  ranks 
among  the  great  universities  of  the  world  because  it 
possesses  a  character,  a  personality,  that  certain  some- 
thing. That  is  one  of  the  ingredients  of  a  great  univen 
sity  along  with  a  well  trained  and  dedicated  faculty, 
adequate  and  comfortable  campus  with  well  equipped 
classrooms  and  laboratories,  and  a  student  body  of 
high  quality.  Here,  truly,  one  receives  that  extra  — 
the  training  of  mind,  body  and  spirit  together  in  an 
ideal  social  climate. 

To  meet  the  demands  of  education  for  the  floods 
of  students  now  seeking  admission,  the  University  has 
added  faculty  and  expanded  the  campus.  But  it  should 
operate  only  to  capacity  if  it  is  to  maintain  that  quality 
education.  To  maintain  proper  numbers  and  standards, 
the  University  recently  announced  earlier  application 
dates  and  more  selective  regulations. 

You  can  improve  your  chances  of  a  quality  educa- 
tion by  keeping  up  your  grades  and  meeting  the  dead- 
lines listed  in  the  next  column.  It  is  worth  working  for. 


VITAL  DATES  TO  REMEMBER 

April  24  —  Next  date  for  American  College  Test 
(necessary  with  application  for  admission).  Regis- 
tration period  for  this  test,  Feb.  22  to  April  3. 


June  1  9  —  The  following  ACT  date.  Registration  period, 
April  26  to  June  5.  Check  your  local  high  school  or 
college  for  arrangements. 

May  1  —  Application  deadline  for  Summer  School 
scholarships  for  new  students. 

May  31  —  Application  deadline  for  admission  to  first 
term  of  Summer  School  for  new  and  former  stu- 
dents. 

June  30  —  Application  deadline  for  admission  to  sec- 
ond term  of  Summer  School. 

June  14-July  16  —  First  term,  Summer  School. 

July  19-Aug.  20  —  Second  term,  Summer  School. 

July  31  —  Deadline  for  applications  for  admission  to 
autumn  semester. 

Brigham  Young 
UNIVERSITY 

PROVO-UTAH 


Exploring 

the 

Universe 

By  Dr.  Franklin  S.  Harris  Jr. 


FAST  JAPANESE  TRAINS 

The  National  Railroad  of  Japan  is 
building  a  new  rail  line  to  connect 
Tokyo  and  Osaka.  The  three-hour 
schedule  on  the  Tokaido  line  be- 
tween the  cities  320  miles  apart  will 
have  trains  operating  at  120  miles 
per  hour.  Test  runs  of  159  miles  per 
hour  have  already  been  made. 


IT'S  A  COLD  WORLD 

Fifty  percent  of  the  land  area  of 
Canada  and  the  Soviet  Union 
and  twenty  percent  of  the  earth  is 
located  in  climatic  zones  where  the 
mean  annual  temperature  is  below 
freezing.  A  thin  crust  at  the  surface 
thaws  during  the  summer  months 
but  underneath  the  soil  or  rocks 
remain  permanently  frozen,  and 
this  is  called  permafrost.  In  the 
normal  arctic  soil  a  layer  of  frozen 
organic  material  two  to  six  inches 
thick  at  a  depth  of  from  sixteen  to 
fifty-two  inches  below  the  surface, 
when  dated  by  radiocarbon,  indi- 
cates an  age  of  warming  8,000  to 
10,000  years  ago.  In  permafrost 
country  the  water  mains  and  sew- 
ers are  carried  above  ground  in 
insulated  "utilidors." 

SUBMERGENCE    RATE   OF   COAST 

The  submergence  of  the  New  Jersey 
coast  has  been  measured,  with  the 
help  of  radiocarbon  dates,  by  study- 
ing the  lagoon  between  the  Brigan- 
tine  City  Barrier  and  the  mainland. 
The  rate  of  submergence  was  about 
ten  feet  per  thousand  years  in  the 
period  between  6,000  and  2,600 
years  ago.  The  present  rate  is  about 
four  feet  per  thousand  years. 


President  Smith  has 

Zions  Bank's  Oldest  Account 

When  Joseph  Fielding  Smith,  Jr.  was  three  months  old,  his 
father,  Church  President  Joseph  F.  Smith,  opened  savings 
account  number  615  in  his  son's  name. 

Account  615  is  still  held  by  Joseph  Fielding  Smith  (now 
President  Smith).  It  is  the  bank's  oldest  continuously-held 
account.  President  Smith's  confidence  in  Zions  Bank  is  backed 
by  88  years  of  personal  experience  and  over  50  years  as  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

For  your  principal  bank  account  or  for  your  "other  bank 
account,"  checking  or  savings  account,  there's  no  better  place 
than  Zions  Bank.  Open  your  account  by  mail  or  in  person. 


te  ZIONS 
FIRST  NATIONAL 
BANK 


FOUNDED  BY  BRIGHAM  YOUNG  —  1873 


70  East  South  Temple 
235  South  Main 
8th  West  &  21st  South 
Cottonwood  Mall 
102  South  Main 
450  South  2nd  West 
7th  East  &  4th  South 
Kearns 
Taylorsville 


Send  mail  to  70  East  South  Temple,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 

Member  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation 


The  Improvement  Era 


The  Voice  of  the  Church 


Official  organ  of  the  Priesthood 
Quorums,  Mutual  Improvement 
Associations,  Home  Teaching,   Music 
Committee,  Department  of  Education, 
and  other  agencies  of  The 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints. 


Contents  for  February  1965 


Volume  68.  Number  2 


Church   Features 

The  Editor's  Page:  Responsibilities  of  Those  Who  Enter  the  Temple, 

President  David  O.  McKay  92 

Talks  Given  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Oakland  Temple 

"In  the  Process  of  Time  .  .  ."  President  David  O.  McKay 106 

Appreciation,  Delbert  F.  Wright 107 

The  Oakland  Temple  in  the  Making,  O.  Leslie  Stone 109 

Saviors  on  Mount  Zion,  President  Joseph  Fielding  Smith Ill 

The  Way  of  the  Lord  Has  Come,  Henry  D.  Taylor 112 

"The  Dawning  of  a  Brighter  Day,"  Gordon  B.  Hinckley 113 

The  Second  Coming,  President  Hugh  B.  Brown 114 

The  House  of  the  Lord,  Marion  G.  Romney 119 

Preparing  to  Meet  the  Lord.  Harold  B.  Lee  121 

Seek  out  Your  Dead,  President  N.  Eldon  Tanner 125 

The  Glory  of  Ancient  Temples— and  Modern,  Sterling  W.  Sill 127 

".  .  .  That  My  People  May  Be  Taught  More  Perfectly  .  .  ." 

EIRay  L.  Christiansen 130 

"Seek  First  the  Kingdom  of  God,"  Delbert  L.  Stapley 132 

"Accept,  O  Lord,  Our  Offering  of  This  House,"  Spencer  W.  Kimball 134 

In  This  Holy  House,  Thomas  S.  Monson  ,. 136 

".  .  .  The  Lord  Hath  Spoken  .  .  ."  LeGrand  Richards 138 

The  Oakland  Temple— Culmination  of  History,  Howard  W.  Hunter 140 

The  Temple  in  Terms  of  Family  Life,  George  W.  Romney  143 

Eternal  Assurances,  Richard  L.  Evans  144 

The    Church    Moves    On,    84;    Melchizedek    Priesthood:    The    Father    in    the    Family,    148; 

Presiding  Bishopric's  Page,  150. 

Special  Features 

Since  Cumorah,  New  Voices  from  the  Dust,  Part  2,  Hugh  Nibley 100 

Teaching:  Inspired  Revision  of  the  Bible,  Part  1,  Robert  J.  Matthews 104 

The  Spoken  Word  from  Temple  Square,  Richard  L.  Evans 157 

Exploring  the  Universe,  Franklin  S.  Harris,  Jr.,  81;  These  Times:   The  American  Two-Party 
System,  G.  Homer  Durham,  86;  Letters  and  Reports,  90. 

The  Era  of  Youth:  I  Believe  161 

The  Last  Word 176 

Family  and  Home  Features 

The  First  Year  after  Marriage,  Part  1,  Harvey  L.  Taylor 96 

Today's  Family:  Florence  B.  Pinnock,  Editor 

To  Earn  a  Friend  152 

For  the  Family  Home  Evening:  Home,  Sweet  Home  155 

Stories,   Poetry 

The  Inheritance,  Reginald  J.  Lowe,  Sr 94 

Poetry  88,  129,  137,  160 

The  Improvement  Era  Offices,  79  South  State  Street,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  84110 

David  O.  McKay  and  Richard  L.  Evans,  Editors;  Doyle  L.  Green,  Managing  Editor;  Marba  C.  Josephson,  Associate  Managing  Editor-  Albert  L  Zobell   Tr 

Research  Editor;  Carter  E.  Grant,  Donna  Higcins,  Becki  Davis,  Darold  Marlowe,  Editorial  Associates;  Florence  B.  Pinnock,  Today's  Family  Editor-  Marion 

D.  Hanks,  The  Era  of  Youth  Editor;  Elaine  Cannon,  The  Era  of  Youth  Associate  Editor;  Art  Direction:  Ralph  Reynolds  Studio. 

G.  Homer  Durham,  Franklin  S.  Harris,  Jr.,  Hugh  Nibley,  Sidney  B.  Sperry,  Alma  A.  Gardiner,  Contributing  Editors. 

G.  Carlos  Smith,  Jr.,  General  Manager;  Florence  S.  Jacobsen,  Associate  General  Manager;  Verl  F.  Scott,  Business  Manager;  A.  Glen  Snarr  Subscription 

Director;  Thayer  Evans,  Advertising  Director. 

©General  Superintendent,  Young  Men's  Mutual  Improvement  Association  of  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  1965,  and  published  by  the  Mutual 
Improvement  Associations  of  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints.  All  rights  reserved.  Subscription  price,  $3.00  a  year,  in  advance;  multiple  subscrip- 
tions, 2  years,  $5.75;  3  years,  $8.25;  each  succeeding  year,  $2.50  a  year  added  to  the  three  year  price. 

Entered  at  the  Post  Office,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  as  second-class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage  provided  for  in  section  1103  act 
of  October  1917,  authorized  July  2,  1918. 

The  Improvement  Era  is  not  responsible  for  unsolicited  manuscripts  but  welcomes  contributions.  Manuscripts  are  paid  for  on  acceptance  at  the  rate  of  2c 
a  word  and  must  be  accompanied  by  sufficient  postage  for  delivery  and  return. 

Thirty  days'  notice  is  required  for  change  of  address.  When  ordering  a  change,  please  include  address  slip  from  a  recent  issue  of  the  magazine.  Address 
changes  cannot  be  made  unless  the  old  address  as  well  as  the  new  one  is  included. 


ART  AND  PHOTO  CREDITS 

81  Art:   Ed   Maryon 

94  Art:   Dale  Kilbourn 
96-99  Art:   Ted   Nagata 
106  Art:    Ted    Nagata 
148  Photos:    Maurice    Scanlon 
152-3  Photo:    Robert   Perine 
161  Art:   Ed  Maryon,  Dale  Kilbourn 
162-3  Photos:    Gene  Heil 
168-9  Photos:   Ramon   Winegar 
172-3  Art:   Dave  Burton 
174  Art:   Ed  Maryon,  Dale  Kilbourn 

All    other   art   and   photos: 
Ralph  Reynolds   Studio 


NEW  ADDRESS  FOR 
ERA   OFFICES 

After   March    1    The  Improvement 
Era  offices  will  be  located  on 
the  7th  floor  of  the  Beehive 
State  Bank   Building  at  79   South 
State    Street,    Salt   Lake   City, 
Utah,  84110. 


THE   COVER 

"Snow    on    Cottonwoods— Arizona" 
is  the  title   given   this  lovely   picture 
by  Wayne  Davis,  St.  Johns,  Arizona, 
the  photographer.  Is  it  the  chill 
of   old   winter   hanging   on?    or   an 
early    spring   snowstorm   with 
the  promise   of   better   weather  to 
come?  or  a  mixture  of  the  two 
seasons  of  winter  and  spring? 
Whatever   it   is,   the  beauty  of  such 
scenes  makes   one  feel  that  it  is 
indeed  good  to  be  alive. 

Cover  Lithographed  in  full  color 
by  Deseret  News  Press 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    BRA 


^**   ^SvJy&&^^i&6*  ^A*&4A& 


A  Feast 

of  Fine 

Reading 


from  Deseret  Book 


NEW 


(2) 

A  HERITAGE  OF  FAITH 


A  compilation  by  Richard  Bitner 
Wirthlin  of  the  sermons  and  writings 
of  former  Presiding  Bishop  Joseph 
L.  Wirthlin.  This  book  reflects  Bishop 
Wirthlin's  deep  devotion  to  the  Gos- 
pel, and  clearly  evident  in  his  life 
and  work  is  the  part  played  by  his 
heritage  of  faith. 


50 


NEW 


(3) 
THE  BEATITUDES 


by  L.  Elmer  Peterson 
A  Latter-day  Saint  interpretation  of 
these  beloved  capsules  of  divine 
wisdom . . .  more  than  just  platitudes 
they  touch  on  the  deeper  doctrines 
of  the  Kingdom. 

$J95 


NEW 


(4) 

THIS  WAY  BUT  ONCE 


by  J.  Stanley  Harrison 

A  book  that  offers  stimulation  for 

the  armchair  reader,  usable  stories 

and  poems  for  the  public  speaker, 

and  fascinating  lesson  material  for 

the  teacher,  parent,  and  student. 

$295 


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COMPANY 

44  EAST  SO.  TEMPLE  AND  AT  COTTONWOOD  MALL 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

2472  WASHINGTON  BLVD.,  OGDEN 

777  SO.  MAIN  ST.,  ORANGE,  CALIFORNIA 


NEW 


(1) 


AARONIC  PRIESTHOOD 
Through  the  Centuries 

by  Lee  A.  Palmer 

An  intriguing  and  scholarly  history 
of  the  lesser  priesthood  from  its 
inception  to  the  present  day.  It 
gathers  together  a  record  of  the 
authority  and  functions  of  the  priest- 
hood, not  only  from  sacred  writings, 
ancient  and  modern,  but  also  from 
scholarly  commentaries  and  secular 
histories. 


$395 


V 


m 


mm  >'■ 


Ml* 


(5) 

OUR  WORD  OF  WISDOM 


by  David  D.  Geddes 

From  his  research  experience  in  the  fields 
of  heart  and  lung  disease,  nutrition  and 
sports  medicine,  Dr.  Geddes  writes  this 
startling  book  of  warning  —  a  clear  call 
from  a  scientist  for  all  Latter-day  Saints 
to  heed  the  Word  of  Wisdom. 

$995 

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NEW 


CHARACTER  AND 
LEADERSHIP 


by  Leland  H.  Monson  and 
Clinton  W.  Barton 

America,  the  world,  and  the  Church  needs 
men  of  Character  and  Leadership.  Here, 
for  Latter-day  Saints,  are  thirteen  success- 
ful ways  of  promoting  and  producing  men 
of  character.  Written  with  clarity  and  pre- 
cision. 


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HAPPY  HOURS 


by  Hazel  West  Lewis 

Essential  for  all  Family  get-togethers  where 
there  are  little  children  to  be  charmed 
and  fascinated  by  these  sprightly  stories 
and  sparkling  illustrations. 


$2 


25 


To:  Deseret  Book  Company,  44  East  South  Temple,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
Please  send  me  the  following  book(s):       (1)        (2)        (3)        (4)        (5) 
(6)        (7)        (Please  circle  books  required).  I  enclose  a  check/money  order 
for  the  full  amount  $ Or,  please  bill  —  I  have  an  account. 

Name 


Address.. 

City 


February  '65  Era 

'Residents  of  Utah  add  3KS  sales  tax. 


State. 


.Zip. 


BLACK  &  WHITE 

LI VI  9    8  exposure  roll 

DEVELOPED  &  PRINTED 
IN  JUMBO  SIZE 

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Color  Reprints 204  each 

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Color  Movie  per 

8  mm,  25'  Roll $1 .35  roll 


GENEALOGY  PHOTOS 

NEGATIVES  MADE  of  OLD 

PHOTOS,  604  each.  PRINTS 

of  NEGATIVE,  54  each 

Send  coin  only— no  COD  's 
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P.O.  Box  1 1 15  Dept.  AA  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


A  TOTAL  ELECTRIC 

GOLD 
MEDALLION 


A  wonderful  new 
way  to  live 


UTAH  POWER  *  LIGHT  CO. 
Ivy  fiaw  from  your  doalor 


The  Church 

Moves 

On 


DECEMBER    1964 

Elder  Henry  G.  Tempest  was  appointed  to  manage  the  office 
of  the  Presiding  Bishopric  in  Frankfurt,  Germany.  He  succeeds 
Elder  David  Thomas.  This  European  office  is  caring  for  church 
supplies,  records,  and  financial  responsibilities  in  Europe. 

The  First  Presidency  announced  that  a  new  Church  Procure- 
ment Committee  has  been  set  up  to  correlate  all  purchases  for  the 
Church  with  the  various  directors  of  the  committees  in  charge  of 
purchasing  for  each  department.  Presiding  Bishop  John  H.  Vanden- 
berg  is  the  group's  supervisor,  with  Gordon  Affleck,  church  purchas- 
ing agent,  as  executive  committeeman.  Other  members  include 
Gilbert  O.  Nieman,  church  building  committee;  George  Collins, 
church  hospitals;  Jerry  J.  Sargent,  church  supplies;  and  Ben  E. 
Lewis,  church  schools. 

Q  Elder  Russell  M.  Nelson  and  counselors  Elders  Albert  R. 
Bo  wen  and  Joseph  B.  Wirthlin  sustained  as  the  presidency  of 
Bonneville  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake,  succeeding  President  Frank  B. 
Bowers  and  counselors,  Elders  Ira  B.  Sharp  and  Ferdinand  E. 
Peterson. 

The  "Faith  in  Action"  program  of  the  National  Broadcasting 
Company's  radio  network  featured  the  Polynesian  clubs   of 

Brigham  Young   University,  who  presented,   in   word   and   song, 

Christmas  in  the  islands.  / 

This  morning  President  David  O.  McKay  officially  cut  the 
silver  ribbon  at  the  entrance  of  the  new  parking  plaza  behind 
the  Church  Office  building,  opening  that  three-story  underground 
facility.  It  will  accommodate  approximately  1500  cars. 

[Jl  Giving  a  definite  German  flavor  to  Christmas,  the  "Faith  in 
J  Action"  radio  program  of  the  National  Broadcasting  Company 
featured  the  LDS  German  Chorus  in  Salt  Lake  City.  Elder  Percy  K. 
Fetzer,  former  president  of  the  Berlin  Mission,  also  spoke  briefly. 

[President  David  O.  McKay,  President  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 
I  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve,  and  President  Marion  D.  Hanks 
of  the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy  spoke  at  the  annual  meeting  of 
church  office  employees,  which  honors  both  the  Christmas  season 
and  the  birth  of  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith. 

The  First  Presidency  announced  the  appointment  of  Elder 
Lamont  F.  Toronto  as  president  of  the  Canadian  Mission,  succeed- 
ing President  Frank  H.  Pitcher.  President  Toronto  will  retire  as 
Utah  Secretary  of  State  in  January.  Long  active  in  the  Church,  he 
is  a  former  missionary  to  New  Zealand,  has  served  as  a  Sunday 
School  teacher  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  a  former  bishop  of 
Duncan  (Salt  Lake  City)  Ward.  Mrs.  Toronto  and  their  four  chil- 
dren will  accompany  him  to  the  field  of  labor. 

"Children  and  Christmas,"  narrated  by  Elder  Richard  L.  Evans 
and  featuring   the  Salt  Lake  (Continued  on  page  86) 


84 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Many  people  claim  this  simple  statement  contains 
the  secret  of  wealth.  If  it  does  not  contain  the 
entire  secret  of  wealth,  it  does  contain  the  secret 
of  successful  money  management.  When  family 
expenditures  are  less  than  family  income,  the  re- 
sult is  happiness.  When  expenditures  exceed  in- 
come, the  result  is  misery.  To  help  families 
achieve  financial  happiness,  A  PENNY  EARNED  was 
written.  This  most  useful  new  book  gives  LDS 
families  a  clear,  understandable  insight  into  the 
art  of  successful  money  management— an  invalu- 
able guide  for  LDS  family  financial  planning. 

A  PENNY  EARNED 

by  Howard  D.  Lowe  and  Ruth  Reeve  Lowe 

$3.00 


^itfts  o"  m  l0RD 


WELL 


ft#N 


Ten  centuries  of  the  Lord's  work  rolls  forth  upon 
the  shoulders  of  some  of  his  most  noble  leaders. 
From  2,000  to  1,000  BC,  the  history  of  His  servants 
unfolds  —  revealing  such  giants  as  Abraham,  Isaac, 
Jacob,  Moses  and  many  more.  An  outstanding 
sequel  to  the  best  seller,  "The  First  2,000  Years," 
THE  THIRD  THOUSAND  YEARS  continues  with  a 
clear  explanation  of  the  thundering  drama  of 
biblical  events,  commencing  with  the  era  of  Abra- 
ham...making  Bible  reading  an  exciting  adventure. 

THE  THIRD  THOUSAND  YEARS 

by  W.  Cleon  Skousen 

$5.95 


BOOKCRAFT  2/65 

1186  South  Main,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  84101 

Please  send  the  book  (books)  as  indicated  for  which  I  enclose 
check  or  money  order  for  $ 

□  A  Penny  Earned  □  The  Third  Thousand  Years 


ADDRESS 
CITY 


STATE. 


.ZIP. 


FEBRUARY   1865 


88 


The  Church  Moves  On 
(Continued  from  page  84) 

Tabernacle  Choir,  was  a  special 
presentation  of  the  television  net- 
work of  the  Columbia  Broadcasting 
System  this  Christmas  Eve. 

The  National  Broadcasting 
Company's  "Faith  in  Action" 
raido  program  was  given  to  the 
Salt  Lake  Scots  Bagpipe  Band 
which  honored  President  David  O. 
McKay. 

The  British  South  Mission  was 
organized  from  parts  of  the  British 
and  the  Southwest  British  missions 
by  Elder  Mark  E.  Petersen  of 
the  Council  of  the  Twelve  and 
president  of  the  West  European 
Mission.  Elder  Don  K.  Archer  has 
been  called  by  the  First  Presidency 
to  preside  over  the  new  mission. 
President  Archer,  who  has  been 
serving  in  the  Southwest  British 
Mission  as  a  missionary  since  Au- 
gust, is  a  former  bishop  of  the 
Holladay  (Salt  Lake  County) 
Eleventh  Ward.  He  had  previously 
served  as  a  bishop's  counselor,  a 
stake  Aaronic  Priesthood  commit- 
teeman, and  an  Aaronic  Priesthood 
adviser.  Mrs.  Archer  and  three  of 
their  four  children  will  serve  with 
President  Archer  in  his  new  assign- 
ment. The  British  Mission  has  been 
functioning  since  1837. 

£f|  Nearly  one  thousand  persons 
visited  the  new  Deseret  Gym- 
nasium in  Salt  Lake  City  during  the 
first  of  a  two-day  open-house 
period. 

The  year  1964  closed  with  the 
church  members  rejoicing  be- 
cause of  the  blessings  individually 
and  collectively  received.  During 
the  final  days  of  1964  each  home 
was  to  have  received  a  manual  for 
the  weekly  family  home  evenings 
that  are  to  begin  with  the  begin- 
ning of  1965. 

JANUARY    1965 

President   and   Sister   McKay 
celebrated    their    sixty-fourth 

wedding  anniversary  at  a  family 

reunion. 


The 
American 

Two- Party 
System 


•  The  American  political  party,  like 
Brigham  Young's  comment  about 
the  gospel  net,  brings  together  all 
kinds  of  "fish."  Observers  of  the 
American  two-party  system  have 
generally  noted  that  differences 
within  each  of  the  major  parties 
are  as  great,  if  not  greater,  than 
between  them.  Lord  Bryce  charac- 
terized our  parties  as  tweedledum 
and  tweedledee.  From  time  to  time 
arise  individuals  who  attempt  to 
modify  this  historic  situation.  Is  it 
possible  to  "organize"  all  so-called 
"conservatives"  in  one  party  and  all 
so-called  "liberals"  in  another?  Not 
in  American  politics,  most  long- 
time students  of  the  subject  believe. 
Some  commentators  have  asked 
whether  the  Republican  party  can 
recover  from  a  presidential  contest 
in  which  the  top  of  the  ticket  car- 
ried only  Mississippi,  Georgia, 
South  Carolina,  Alabama,  Louisi- 
ana, and  Arizona.  Five  of  these 
states  were  the  stronghold  of  "se- 
cession" from  the  American  union 
a  hundred  years  ago.  In  1964  the 
same  five  also  constituted  the 
states  in  which  fewer  citizens  voted 
than  in  most  other  states.  While  77 
percent  of  the  eligible  voters  were 
casting  ballots  in  Utah,  76.3  in 
Minnesota,  and  75.6  in  Idaho  ( first, 
second,  and  third  in  turnout),  only 
39.4,  38.5,  34.1,  and  33.2  were  vot- 
ing in  Georgia,  South  Carolina, 
Alabama,  and  Mississippi  in  last 
place.  Louisiana's  47.1  ranked  42nd. 
Arizona's  reported  54.6  stood  in 
38th  place. 


THESE  TIMES 

By  Dr.  G.  Homer  Durham 

President,  Arizona  State  University,  Tempe 


What  seems  clear  in  the  1964 
election  is  that  the  fundamental 
principles  and  forces  which  tra- 
ditionally influence  and  operate  the 
American  two-party  system  con- 
tinue in  full  operation.  The  two- 
party  system's  characteristics  in 
American  political  life  are  probably 
stronger,  more  durable,  and  more 
pervading  than  any  effort  to  con- 
strict or  realign  the  system  to  any 
rigid,  preconceived,  philosophical 
point  of  view.  In  short,  the  flexible 
doctrines  (plural)  which  go  to 
make  up  the  American  two-party 
system  carry  greater  force  with  the 
American  electorate  than  any  single 
doctrine.  Thus,  although  only  52 
electoral  votes  were  garnered  by 
Mr.  Goldwater  and  Mr.  Miller,  long 
observation  affords  the  view  that 
the  two-party  system  prevails  and 
will  continue  to  prevail. 

Any  effort  to  resculpture,  re- 
mold, reshape,  or  realign  the 
essential  characteristics  of  this  sys- 
tem must  reckon  with  deep  under- 
lying forces.  Some  of  these  forces 
are  represented  in  the  following 
considerations: 

1.  First,  the  American  political 
party  is  a  loose  confederation  of 
ever-changing  local  political  organi- 
zations. Democrats  and  Republi- 
cans nationally,  so  far  as  their 
organization  is  concerned,  are  more 
confederate  than  federal.  The  parts 
of  each  party  are  self-moving  and 
self-propelled.  They  may  be  at- 
tracted and  persuaded  towards 
national  organization  and  national 


86 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


organizational  goals,  but  they  can- 
not be  compelled  nor  even  drawn 
together  by  central  authority.  Those 
who  want  strict  "party  discipline" 
in  the  organizational  sense  are  also 
foreign  to  the  basic  life  of  the  major 
American  parties.  The  Russian 
communist  party  is  based  on  strict 
party  "discipline."  In  contrast,  mem- 
bers of  American  parties  are  nei- 
ther initiated,  excommunicated,  nor 
subjected  to  "discipline."  The  larg- 
est measure  of  freedom,  freedom  of 
action,  freedom  of  political  opinion, 
and  freedom  of  political  movement, 
characterize  American  party  politics 
at  the  national  level  ( and  gratefully 
at  most  others ) .  As  a  result,  each 
party  tends  to  be  inclusive  rather 
than  exclusive.  Each  wants  nearly 
everybody  to  be  included,  and  to 
exclude  almost  no  available  sup- 
porters. 

Some  may  question  this  charac- 
teristic of  American  party  life.  But 
in  a  still  young,  growing  nation 
the  politics  of  freedom  warrant  few, 
if  any,  alternatives. 

2.  Any  happy  band  or  indignant 
group  that  wants  to  "take  over"  any 
segment  of  one  of  the  major  parties, 
or  a  precinct,  county,  state,  or 
national  convention,  has  to  reckon 
with  the  preceding  fact— literally, 
the  politics  of  freedom.  Parlia- 
mentary skills,  heavy  contributors, 
powerful  publishers,  leaders  of 
"disciplined"  groups  to  the  con- 
trary—when the  "steamroller"  is 
used,  it  has  to  be  used  in  full 
knowledge  of  the  reactions  of 
which  our  free  individuals  and 
complicated  systems  are  capable. 
At  the  bottom  of  each  system, 
great  or  small,  is  the  politics  of 
freedom.  Freedom  of  political  as 
well  as  of  religious  conscience  is  at 
stake:  freedom  of  choice.  Conse- 
quently, no  politician  in  American 
life  can  long,  if  ever,  stand  inside  a 
self-drawn  circle  and  declare  to 
his  fellows:  "Come,  come,  stand 
with  me  inside  my  circle.  See  things 
as  I  see  them."  Rather,  in  the  long 
run,  no  matter  what  his  charm, 
military  record,  legislative  experi- 
ence, or  powers  of  personal  per- 
suasion, he  has  to  say:  "You  stand 
in  your  circle,  and  I'll  stand  in 
mine.  Let's  talk.  Let's  exchange 
opinions.  Then  let's  see  if  together 
we  can  decide  on  a  course  of  action 
and  put  our  circles  into  associa- 
tion." And  such  association  is  only 
(Concluded  on  follotving  page) 


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NAME 

ADDRESS ' 

CITY STATE ZIP.. 


L_ 


FEBRUARY    1'965 


87 


EEmg 

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Effective  Mar.  1,  1965 

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ERA  OFFICE 

will  be  located  at 

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These  Times 

(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 

semi-permanent.  In  other  words, 
an  early  lesson  in  American  politics 
is  similar  to  the  lesson  learned  by 
the  farm  lad.  You  may  lead  the 
pony  to  water,  but  you  can't  make 
him  drink. 

3.  The  nature  of  the  American 
two-party  system  is  thus  rooted  in 
the  nature  of  man,  supported  by 
the  nature  of  the  American  consti- 
tutional system.  The  establishment 
of  an  elected  magistracy,  the  Presi- 
dency, by  the  Constitution  made 
the  two-party  system  necessary. 
The  reasons  are  elementary  and 
simple.  To  win  a  majority  in  the 
electoral  college  requires  the  widest 
type  of  "inclusion,"  of  organization 
and  appeal.  Organizations  had  be- 
gun to  form  around  elected  magis- 
tracies in  each  hamlet,  in  county 
and  what  are  now  state  jurisdic- 
tions, before  the  Revolution.  To 
elect  a  President,  as  now,  required 
cooperation  between  these  differ- 
ent "circles."  To  defeat  and  replace 
a  President  by  an  opposition  re- 
quires a  similar  but  even  wider 
coalition.  A  narrower  coalition,  an 
"exclusive"  approach,  will  not  do 
the  job.  A  narrow  coalition  will  not 
elect  a  President  in  the  first  place. 
The  American  two-party  system  at 
the  national  level  derives  from  such 
facts. 

4.  Finally  and  fourthly  in  this 
review  follows  the  most  pervasive 
consequence  of  all,  looking  at  the 
nation  as  a  whole  and  not  at  any 
of  its  parts.  That  consequence, 
following  (1)  the  politics  of  free- 
dom, and  (2)  provision  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  Presidency,  is 
that  the  two-party  system  is  a  mod- 
erating element  in  American  politi- 
cal life.  The  politics  of  moderation 
prevail  in  the  long  run  in  American 
life.  In  presidential  elections  the 
choice  is  often  between  person- 
alities. There  is  usually  some  agree- 
ment on  fundamentals.  Whether 
tweedledee  or  tweedledum  is 
elected,  the  victor  has  to  achieve 
office  by  maximum  recognition  of 
the  right  of  each  voter  to  his  own 
God-given  opinion  and  his  own 
view  of  the  world.  This  does  not 
prevent  tremendous  effort  to  change 
and  influence  opinion! 

It  is  difficult  for  some  to  accord 
all  men  the  same  political  privileges 


desired  themselves,  even  to  vote  as 
others  may.  But  the  basic  doctrine 
of  American  politics  is  that  all  may 
enjoy  the  franchise.  In  a  land  where 
individualism  is  still  nourished,  the 
doctrine  of  the  individual  rights  of 
all  and  not  of  some,  the  politics  of 
the  two-party  system  will  prevail. 
And  probably  the  long-range  in- 
fluence of  the  system  tends  toward 
moderation  of  currently  held  views, 
not  radicalism,  polarization,  or  ex- 
tremes. 

Swings  do  and  will  occur.  Each 
generation  has  its  problems  and 
adjustments.  But  the  American  two- 
party  system,  by  its  nature  and  its 
tasks,  appears  to  function  as  a  mod- 
erator of  the  political  process.  Like 
the  governor  on  a  steam  locomo- 
tive's shaft,  the  system  permits 
movement  back  and  forth.  Violent 
rupture  is  avoided.  The  engine  does 
not  explode. 

Such  a  political  system  provides 
room  for  vegetarians,  prohibition- 
ists, single-taxers,  radicals,  con- 
servatives, liberals,  moderates, 
progressives,  all  sorts;  for  those  who 
are  most  happy  when  wrapped  and 
adorned  in  labels;  for  those  who 
prefer  detachment.  The  system 
operates  on  the  premise  that  con- 
tinuing consensus,  achieved  by  free 
discussion  and  persuasion  on  the 
part  of  free  individuals,  of  what- 
ever persuasion,  is  preferable  to 
force,  "holy  wars,"  violence,  or  the 
imposition  of  any  single  will.  It  is 
a  great  system.  It  works  reasonably 
well.  I  believe  it  will  continue  to  do 
so  in  these  times.  It  is  part  of  our 
constitutional  inheritance. 


MOONRISE  ON  THE  DESERT 

BY     HALLIE     HOLMES 

Lingering   bits   of  tinted  skies 
Dim,  and  fade  to  twilight  hues. 
Darkness  creeps  upon  the   desert 
Mingling  streaks  of  sunset  blues. 

Nighttime     creatures     wake     and 

scurry; 
Cacti,   mute,  their  watches  stand. 
Crisp,  clean  desert  breezes  blowing, 
Covering  night  with  silvery  sand. 

Quiet  stillness  seems  to  hover 
Till  all  raucous  noises  fade. 
Moonrise  shining  on  the  desert, 
Framing  pictures  God  has  made. 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


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ORANGE 


TEMPORAL 
BLESSINGS 


GREEN      HOLY  SPIRIT 


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ATTENDANCE    RECORD 
RUNS   TEN    YEARS 

When  it's  time  to  be 
in  church,  Wesley 
Stringer  is  there— al- 
ways. This  nineteen- 
year-old  from  El  Do- 
rado Branch  in  Ar- 
kansas has  a  ten-year 
100  percent  attend- 
ance record  at  Sun- 
day School  and  Sac- 
rament meeting.  For  seven  years— since 
he  was  made  a  deacon— he  has  had  per- 
fect attendance  in  priesthood  meeting. 
Wesley  has  received  six  individual  Aaronic 
Priesthood  awards.  He  is  the  son  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ben  Stringer. 

ERA    IS    BELOW-EQUATOR 
MISSIONARY 

Thank  you  for  producing  such  a  wonder- 
ful publication.  Often  do  I  let  my  non- 
member  friends  read  it,  and  at  all  times 
their  remarks  have  been  very  positive  as 
to  the  standard  and  quality  of  the  periodi- 
cal. Do  continue  in  this  great  work! 
Thanks  once  more  for  your  fine  effort. 

Olev  Taim 

Pretoria,  Republic  of 

South  Africa 

GOLD   MEDALLION  PLUS  TWO 

LaNada  Hancock,  member  of  Downey 
Ward,  Portneuf  (Idaho)  Stake,  earned 
her  Gold  Medallion  award  for  receiving 
seven  individual  awards  in  MIA  work. 
Then  she  kept  right  on  going,  earning 
the  eighth  and  ninth  year  awards  and  be- 
ginning work  on  the  tenth,  which  was 
interrupted  by  a  call  to  serve  in  the  Cen- 
tral British  Mission.  She  is  shown  with 
her  bishop,  J.  Dale  Criddle. 


"THIS  BAND 

IS  TOO  SMALLI" 

Most  Beehive  girls 
don't  plan  to  out- 
grow their  bands— 
the  felt  bands  on 
which  they  proudly 
wear  the  awards  they 
receive  during  the 
two-year  Beehive 
program. 

For  Devona  Gab- 
rys  of  Salt  Lake  City, 
this  was  almost  a 
problem.  Devona 
earned  all  91  honor 
badges,  every  one 
offered,  during  her  Beehive  activity.  Her 
rows  of  cell-shaped  badges  climbed  over 
her  shoulder  and  down  the  back  of  the 
band  almost  to  the  bottom. 

She  is  a  Worker  Bee  and  an  Honor  Bee. 

EXPLORERS  WIN  IN  WATER 

A  small  Post  of  eight  Explorers  in  the 
North  Platte  Branch  of  the  Western 
States  Mission  has  made  branch  mem- 
bers proud  by  receiving  the  Buffalo  Bill 
District  Swim  Meet  Senior  Division  tro- 
phy for  the  third  year  in  a  row. 

Winning  team  members  for  1964  ate, 
1  to  r,  Melbourne  Poff,  Robert  Carter, 
Roland  Chambers,  and  Gary  Pell. 


DILIGENCE 
IS  HONORED 


JP'lfe  ||^^ 


UTAH  DRAFTEES  TOP  IN  FITNESS 

Utah  ranked  first  in  the  nation  in  1963  in 
the  fitness  of  its  military  draftees  on  the 
basis  of  pre-induction  examinations,  ac- 
cording to  a  study  by  the  Army  Surgeon 
General's  office.  The  study  showed  67.9% 
of  Utah  draftees  were  acceptable,  com- 
pared to  67.2%  for  Nebraska,  the  second- 
ranked  state,  and  50%  for  the  national 
average. 


Sharel  Lee  Nef  Eileen  Clay 

Beverly  Unbedacht 
(not  pictured) 

Young  women  and  their  Mutual  leaders 
in  increasing  numbers  are  earning  the 
prized  Gold  Medallion  medal  for  receiv- 
ing seven  individual  awards  in  Mutual 
work. 

A  leader  who  has  set  the  example  is 
Letha  W.  Hall,  Annis  Ward,  Rigby  Stake. 
She  is  the  mother  of  seven,  grandmother 
to  two,  and  serves  simultaneously  as 
Sunday  School  teacher,  Guide  Patrol 
leader  in  Primary,  and  YWMIA  sports 
and  camp  director. 

Also  in  the  Annis  Ward  is  college  stu- 
dent Lelia  Hanson  who  has  earned  the 
award.  She  is  attending  Ricks  College,  is 
working  on  her  Golden  Gleaner  award, 
and  has  earned  eight  individual  awards. 

Still  in  eastern  Idaho,  Sharel  Lee  Nef, 
daughter  of  Bishop  Darrell  J.  Nef,  of  the 
Leadore  Ward,  Salmon  River  Stake,  has 
earned  the  award.  She  is  a  Ricks  College 
graduate. 

Eileen  Clay  set  a  high  goal  for  younger 
girls  in  the  Spokane  (Washington)  Stake 
to  aim  at  by  receiving  the  medallion. 
She  has  been  active  in  the  Spokane  Sixth 
Ward  and  is  now  a  student  at  Brigham 
Young  University. 

Also  in  the  Northwest,  Beverly  Un-' 
bedacht  received  the  Gold  Medallion 
award  in  the  Renton  (Washington)  Third 
Ward,  Seattle  East  Stake.  Beverly  has 
served  as  chorister  on  a  stake  and  ward 
level,  Sunday  School  and  Primary  teacher. 


90 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


NEW  AMERICAN  TEMPERANCE  PLAN 

PAYS  $100  WEEKLY. 

even  for  life  to  Non-drinkers  and  Non-smokers! 

At  last  —  a  new  kind  of  hospitalization  plan  for  you  thousands  who  realize  drinking  and  smok- 
ing are  harmful.  Rates  are  fantastically  low  because  "poor  risk"  drinkers  and  smokers  are 
excluded.  Since  your  health  is  superior  there  is  no  age  limit,  no  physical  examination,  no  wait- 
ing period.  Only  you  can  cancel  your  policy.  No  salesman  will  ever  call.  Starting  the  first  day 
you  enter  any  hospital,  you  will  be  paid  $14.28  a  day. 


You  do  not  smoke  or  drink — 

so  why  pay  premiums  for 

those  who  do? 

Every  day  in  your  newspaper  you  see 
more  evidence  that  drinking  and  smoking 
shorten  life.  They're  now  one  of  America's 
leading  health  problems — a  prime  cause 
of  the  high  premium  rates  most  hospitali- 
zation policies  charge. 

Our  rates  are  based  on  your 

superior  health, 

as  a  non-drinker  and  non-smoker.  The 
new  American  Temperance  Hospitaliza- 
tion Plan  can  offer  you  unbelievably  low 
rates  because  we  do  not  accept  drinkers 
and  smokers,  who  cause  high  rates.  Also, 
your  premiums  can  never  be  raised  be- 
cause you  grow  older  or  have  too  many 
claims.  Only  a  general  rate  adjustment 
up  or  down  could  affect  your  low  rates. 
And  only  you  can  cancel  your  policy.  We 
cannot. 

READ  YOUR  AMERICAN 
TEMPERANCE  PLAN  BENEFITS 

1.  You  receive  $100  cash  weekly — 

TAX  FREE— even  for  life, 

from  the  first  day  you  enter  a  hospital. 
Good  in  any  hospital  in  the  world.  We  pay 
in  addition  to  any  other  insurance  you 
carry.  We  send  you  our  payments  Air 
Mail  Special  Delivery  so  you  have  cash 
on  hand  fast.  No  limit  on  number  of  times 
you  collect. 

2.  We  cover  all  accidents  and 

sicknesses, 

except  pregnancy,  any  act  of  war  or  mili- 
tary service,  pre-existing  accidents  or 


sickness,  hospitalization  caused  by  use  of 
liquor  or  narcotics.  On  everything  else 
you're  fully  protected— at  amazingly  low 
rates! 

3.  Other  benefits  for  loss 

within  90  days  of  accident 

(as  described  in  policy).  We  pay  $2000 
cash  for  accidental  death.  Or  $2000  cash 
for  loss  of  one  hand,  one  foot,  or  sight  of 
one  eye.  Or  $6000  cash  for  loss  of  both 
eyes,  both  hands,  or  both  feet. 

We  invite  close  comparison 

with  any  other  plan. 

Actually,  no  other  is  like  ours.  But  com- 
pare rates.  See  what  you  save. 


DO  THIS  TODAY! 

Fill  out  application  below  and  mail  right 
away.  Upon  approval,  your  policy  will  be 
promptly  mailed.  Coverage  begins  at  noon 
on  effective  date  of  your  policy.  Don't  de- 
lay. Every  day  almost  50,000  people  enter 
hospitals.  So  get  your  protection  now. 


MONEY-BACK  GUARANTEE 

Read  over  your  policy  carefully.  Ask  your  min- 
ister, lawyer  and  doctor  to  examine  it.  Be  sure 
it  provides  exactly  what  we  say  it  does.  Then, 
if  for  any  reason  at  all  you  are  not  100%  satis- 
fied, just  mail  your  policy  back  to  us  within  30 
days  and  we  will  immediately  refund  your  en- 
tire premium.  No  questions  asked.  You  can 
gain  thousands  of  dollars . .  .you  risk  nothing. 


IMPORTANT:  Check  table  below  and  include  year  first 
premium  with  application. 

LOOK  AT  THESE 
AMERICAN  TEMPERANCE  LOW  RATES 

Pay  Monthly    Pay  Yearly 

Each  child  18 
and  under  pays 

$2»o 

$28 

Each  adult 
19-64  pays 

$380 

$38 

Each  adult 
65-100  pays 

$590 

*59 

SAVE  TWO  MONTHS  PREMIUM  IT  PAYING  YEARLY! 

Application  to  Pioneer  Life  Insurance  Company,  Rockford,  Illinois 

FOR  AT-300 

AMERICAN  TEMPERANCE  HOSPITALIZATION  POLICY 

Name  (PLEASE  PRINT)  

Street  or  RD  # 

City 

Age Date  of  Birth 

Occupation 

Beneficiary 


Jone. 


.County. 


.State. 


Month 


.Height- 


Day 


Year 

.Weights 


.Relationship. 


I  also  apply  for  coverage  for  the  members  of  my  family  listed  below: 

NAME AGE HEIGHT  WEIGHT  BENEFICIARY 

L 

2. 


4. 


To  the  best  of  your  knowledge  and  belief,  are  you  and  all  members  listed  above  in  good  health 
and  free  from  any  physical  impairment,  or  disease?  Yes  Q  No  Q 
To  the  best  of  your  knowledge,  have  you  or  any  member  above  listed  had  medical  advice  or 
treatment,  or  have  you  or  they  been  advised  to  have  a  surgical  operation  in  the  last  five  years? 
Yes  G  No  Q  If  so,  please  give  details  stating  person  affected,  cause,  date,  name  and  address 
of  attending  physician,  and  whether  fully  recovered. 


Neither  I  nor  any  person  listed  above  uses  tobacco  or  alcoholic  beverages,  and  I  hereby  apply 
for  a  policy  based  on  the  understanding  that  the  policy  does  not  cover  conditions  originating 
prior  to  its  effective  date,  and  that  the  policy  is  issued  solely  and  entirely  in  reliance  upon  the 
written  answers  to  the  above  questions. 

Date: ■  Signed  :X 

AT-IAT 

Mail  this  application  with  your  first  premium  to  2187 

AMERICAN  TEMPERANCE  ASSOCIATES,  Inc.,  Box  131,  Libertyville,  Illinois 


FEBRUARY   1965 


91 


THE    EDITOR'S    PAGE 
BY    PRESIDENT    DAVID    O     MCKAY 


RESPONSIBILITIES 

OF  THOSE  WHO  ENTER 


In  place  of  the  regular  editorial  this  month  we  are 
presenting,  with  President  McKay's  approval,  the  ad- 
dress he  delivered  in  the  first  dedicatory  session  of 
the  Oakland  Temple  held  Tuesday,  November  17, 
1964.  Other  addresses  given  at  the  dedicatory  services 
begin  on  page  106  in  this  issue. 


This  has  truly  been  an  inspirational  hour.  Each  heart 
is  filled,  I  am  sure,  with  thanksgiving  and  gratitude 
for  the  opportunity  of  sitting  here  in  this  sacred  edifice 
and  sensing  the  nearness  of  heavenly  beings.  Always 
on  occasions  such  as  this  we  feel  nearer  to  him  and  to 
his  Beloved  Son  than  anywhere  else,  except  in  our 
private  devotion  and  communion  with  the  Almighty. 

It  is  now  the  hour  when  we  should  unite  in  dedicat- 
ing this  holy  house  to  our  Heavenly  Father.  I  feel  im- 
pressed to  say  just  a  few  words  preceding  the  offering 
of  the  dedicatory  prayer. 

Temples  are  erected  for  the  blessing  of  the  people 
through  the  covenants  they  make.  Everybody  who 
enters  the  temple  will  make  certain  covenants  or  take 
upon  himself  or  herself  certain  responsibilities. 

One  great  purpose  carried  out  by  those  who  come 
into  the  temple  is  the  sealing  of  man  and  wife  in  the 
sacred  bonds  of  matrimony.  That  purpose  is  based 


upon  the  fact  that  man  and  woman  truly  love  each 
other.  That  means  that  a  couple  coming  to  the  altar 
should  be  sure  that  there  is  love  in  each  heart.  It 
would  be  a  terrible  thing  to  be  bound  for  eternity  to 
one  whom  you  do  not  love,  but  it  is  a  glorious  thing 
to  be  sealed  for  time  and  all  eternity  to  one  whom  you 
do  love. 

Let  us  ever  remember  that  love  is  the  divinest  attri- 
bute of  the  human  soul.  God  himself  is  love.  Our 
hearts  are  really  one  with  him  in  that  eternal  home, 
and  so  when  a  couple  kneels  at  the  altar  and  receives 
the  privilege  and  blessing  of  that  eternal  sealing,  one 
should  be  sure  that  love  is  binding  those  two  hearts 
that  will  now  be  bound  by  the  holy  power  of  the 
priesthood  for  time  and  all  eternity.  Associated  with 
that  should  be  the  realization  that  love  must  be  fed; 
otherwise  that  binding,  that  sealing  power,  that  cove- 
nant which  is  made,  may  not  last  forever.  Love  must 
be  nourished;  love  can  be  starved  to  death  just  as 
literally  as  the  body  can  be  starved  without  daily 
sustenance.  There  is  no  one  great  protestation  that 
anybody  can  make  that  will  be  sufficient  to  keep  that 
love  alive  always.  There  are  certain  obligations  taken 
by  those  who  make  covenants  at  the  altar,  and  those 
obligations  must  be  manifest  after  they  go  out  of  the 


92 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


temple.  One  is  kindness.  There  should  be  no  un- 
kindness  manifest  in  the  homes  occupied  by  couples 
who  leave  the  house  of  God. 

In  one  of  the  epistles  that  Paul  wrote,  there  are  some 
statements  now  known  throughout  the  Christian 
world  as  the  Psalm  of  Love  (see  1  Cor.  13),  the  first 
of  which  is:  "Love  suffereth  long  and  is  kind."  (See 
ibid.,  13:4.)  The  word  "suffereth"  includes  patience, 
tolerance,  and  consideration.  We  can  visualize  homes 
in  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  in 
the  great  majority  of  which  there  is  kindness  on  both 
parts  because  there  is  love  there— a  binding  love  which 
will  not  be  separated  by  death.  Love  suffereth  long 
and  is  always  kind  and  gentle. 

Men  of  the  Church  should  remember  and  women 
of  the  Church  should  realize  that  kindness  will  foster 
love  and  that  it  should  be  a  reciprocal  act.  There  are 
men  of  courtesy,  men  who  think  of  and  give  special 
thought  to  their  wives,  and  wives  who  consider  their 
husbands.  Paul,  in  that  same  epistle,  says,  "Love 
seeketh  not  her  own"  (see  ibid.,  13:5)  but  the  welfare 
and  happiness  of  others.  And  another  line  in  that  same 
epistle  says,  "Love  believeth  all  things."  (See  ibid., 
13:7.)  If  that  love  is  fed  daily  and  monthly  and  yearly 
throughout  a  lifetime,  the  husband's  attention  will  not 
be  drawn  to  somebody  else  because  there  is  trust  in 
that  binding  power  of  the  priesthood;  neither  will  there 
be  attraction  or  indulgence  in  any  other  way,  because 
love  trusts,  "believeth  all  things"  (see  idem),  and 
there  must  be  foundation  and  cause  for  that  trust  the 
husband  has  in  the  wife  and  the  trust  which  the  wife 
has  in  her  husband. 

Mormonism,  the  principle  element  of  it,  is  the  ap- 
plication of  religion  to  daily  life.  That  is  what  you 
members  have  done  in  participating  in  the  erecting 
of  this  edifice,  what  the  Church  has  done  bringing 
into  the  homes  of  the  membership  of  the  Church  those 
elements  which  will  make  for  happiness  and  peace  here 
and  now,  and  that  is  just  what  it  will  do.  Our  young 
people  should  be  taught  to  choose  mates  who  will 
feed,  nourish,  perpetuate  that  bond  which  brings 
them  to  the  altar  here  in  this  temple— love.  If  your 
spirit  lives  after  death,  as  it  does,  then  that  attribute 
of  love  will  persist  also,  just  as  sympathy,  just  as  rever- 
ence, and  every  other  virtue  that  you  have  will  persist. 

What  is  the  other  obligation?  It  is  the  lesson  of 
eternal  life— the  immortality  of  the  soul. 

The  Apostle  Paul  asked  this  of  the  Corinthians: 
"Else  what  shall  they  do  which  are  baptized  for  the 
dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all?  why  are  they  then 
baptized  for  the  dead?"  (ibid.,  15:29)— an  eternal 
question  asked  two  thousand  years  ago  and  unan- 
swered today  by  any  of  the  churches  except  The 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints.  Half  the 


priests  are  trying  to  answer  it  and  writing  articles  in 
answer  to  it,  but  the  answer  to  that  question  is  found 
in  this  house  which  you  have  built. 

A  Chinese  student  was  graduated  from  one  of  our 
leading  colleges  in  the  United  States.  He  was  return- 
ing to  his  native  land,  and  while  on  the  ship  crossing 
the  Pacific,  he  entered  into  conversation  with  a  Prot- 
estant minister  who  rightfully  explained  that  only 
through  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  will  mankind  be 
saved,  and  that  is  why  he  was  going  over  to  the 
Chinese  nation  to  preach  Jesus  Christ  and  him  cruci- 
fied. The  Chinese  student,  imbued  with  his  love  for 
his  parents  and  the  family  relationship  which  to  the 
Chinese  is  very  real,  listened  to  this  minister  say  that 
only  through  Jesus  Christ  would  people  receive  sal- 
vation, and  said,  "Then  what  about  my  ancestors?"— 
a  question  the  whole  world  should  ask.  The  minister 
replied,  "They  are  lost!"  Said  the  student,  "I'll  have 
nothing  to  do  with  a  religion  so  unjust."  So  he  faced 
the  question:  Either  those  thousands  and  millions 
who  have  gone  before  who  have  never  heard  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ  will  be  saved  differently  from  the  rest 
of  us  who  have  had  a  chance  to  hear  of  him,  or  else 
God  is  a  Being  showing  partiality. 

As  love  is  as  eternal  as  life,  so  the  principles  of 
salvation  are  as  eternal  as  life,  and  they  apply  to  the 
first  person  who  was  born  in  mortality  just  as  much  as 
they  apply  to  you  and  me  here.  That  is  just.  And  since 
millions  have  died  without  baptism  (as  baptism  and 
all  these  other  principles  pertain  to  mortality),  I 
should  think,  then,  that  these  people  should  have  an 
opportunity  to  hear  that  same  gospel  and  come 
through  the  door  of  baptism  as  you  and  I  had  to  come 
through  that  door.  It  is  not  an  impossible  mission  to 
our  Father  in  heaven,  and  this  temple  ordinance  work 
is  one  means  of  accomplishing  it— one  means  of  open- 
ing the  door. 

So  those  who  come  in  this  house,  you  and  I,  now 
have  the  opportunity  and  responsibility  of  trying  as 
far  as  we  can  to  reach  those  of  our  ancestors  so  that 
we  may  open  the  door  for  those  who  wait. 

Jesus  went  to  preach  to  the  spirits  in  prison  who 
were  once  disobedient  in  the  days  of  Noah  when  "the 
ark  was  a  preparing."  ( 1  Peter  3:20.)  That  is  as  simple 
as  can  be  and  may  be  understood  by  anybody  who 
understands  the  language  in  which  the  passage  is  read. 
It  means  that  thousands  of  years  ago  those  people,  men 
and  women,  died  who  once  were  disobedient  in  the 
days  of  Noah  before  the  flood.  Jesus  preached  to  them 
while  his  body  lay  in  the  tomb  three  days,  and  opened 
the  door  to  them,  and  sent  men  of  the  priesthood  to 
let  them  hear  the  same  gospel  which  you  and  I  are 
now  preaching.  What  principle  is  paramount  in  that? 
Why,  those  spirits  were       (Continued  on  page  145) 


FEBRUARY  196S 


93 


T 

H 
'E 


BY    REGINALD   J.    LOWE.    SR. 


•  Behold,  two  men  having  each  received  a 
lovely  garden  for  an  inheritance,  sat  them- 
selves down  in  the  midst  thereof  to  enjoy 
their  possessions. 

Janthea,  the  first,  said  unto  himself:  I 
love  this  garden,  and  I  love  the  man  who 
was  so  mindful  of  me  that  he  gave  it  to  me 
for  an  inheritance.  I  shall  be  happy  all  my 
days. 

Straightway  he  fell  asleep  and  dreamed 
of  his  treasure,  and  lo,  when  he  awoke,  a 
great  drouth  was  upon  the  land,  and  the 
flowers  were  withered  and  dying. 

And  Janthea  cried,  "My  garden,  it  is 
withered  and  will  soon  be  no  more.  I  am 
unhappy  indeed!  No  more  will  I  look  upon 
it  until  the  rains  come."  And  he  retreated  to 
his  closet  to  mourn  his  loss. 

But  when  it  was  evening  he  came  again 
to  see  if  perchance  it  might  all  be  a  dream 
he  had  dreamed.  And  lo,  while  he  had  been 
away,  cattle  entered  and  trampled  what  was 
left  into  the  earth. 

Now  Dathan  sat  also  in  his  garden  to  en- 
joy it,  and  he  said  to  himself:  I  love  these 
flowers.  I  love  the  man  who  gave  me  this 
garden  for  an  inheritance.  God  is  good. 

Now  the  drouth  was  in  all  the  land,  and 
Dathan's  garden  began  to  wither  also,  and 
he  shook  his  head,  saying,  "When  will  the 
rains  come?" 

But  the  rains  came  not,  and  he  was  sore 
afraid  his  garden  should  soon  be  no  more. 

Now,  being  a  righteous  man,  Dathan 
kneeled  in  the  midst  of  his  garden  to  pray 
that  rains  might  come  to  his  plants.  And 
when  it  was  evening,  he  looked  into  the 
heavens,  and  he  saw  no  clouds.  There  was 
no  rain,  and  the  leaves  fell  and  were  blown 
about  by  the  wind. 

Then  came  cattle  to  break  down  and 
trample   under   foot   that   which   was    left. 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Dathan  rose  up  before  them,  driving  them  out  to  a 
place  where  there  was  much  water  flowing  through 
the  land;  and  he  heard  the  river  and  he  said,  "Is  it 
wisdom  in  God  to  put  so  much  water  in  this  river, 
and  yet  my  garden  is  parched,  and  the  earth  is 
cracked  with  dryness?"  Then  a  great  shout  went  out 
from  Dathan,  and  he  hastened  to  his  garden  and 
brought  tools  with  which  to  dig. 

And  when  he  was  come  to  the  river  the  second 
time,  behold  Janthea,  his  neighbor,  sat  on  the  bank, 
and  his  face  was  hid  in  his  hands.  Dathan  inquired 
of  him  his  troubles,  and  Janthea  cried  with  the  voice 
of  great  affliction,  saying,  "God  has  forsaken  me,  for 
he  sent  not  the  rain,  and  my  garden  withered,  and 
cattle  trod  it  into  the  earth." 

And  Dathan  answered  him,  saying:  "Be  of  good 
cheer,  for  I  bring  good  tidings.  Behold  I  prayed,  and 
the  Lord  sent  cattle  to  my  garden,  and  when  I  drove 
them  forth,  they  led  me  to  the  river.  Come  now,  get 
thee  up  and  help  me,  and  together  we  will  dig  that 
the  river  may  flow  to  our  gardens  and  into  the  midst 
thereof,  that  once  more  the  flowers  may  bloom  and 
the  vines  flourish  as  before." 

But  Janthea  would  not,  and  he  rose  up  and  departed, 
saying  as  he  went:  "I  loved  my  garden.  I  loved  the 
man  who  gave  it  me  for  an  inheritance.  I  loved  God, 
but  he  has  forsaken  me  in  my  need." 

Now  when  he  was  gone,  Dathan  began  to  dig  in 
the  parched  earth;  and  after  many  days  water  flowed 
into  his  garden,  and  it  sprang  forth  and  grew  and  was 
even  more  beautiful  and  more  fruitful  than  before;  and 
Dathan  thanked  God  and  went  forth  and  tilled  yet 
more  ground,  and  planted  vines  and  fig  trees  round 
about  him;  and  many  came  from  afar  off  to  buy  fruit 
of  his  trees  and  to  look  on  the  splendor  he  had 
wrought. 

Now  Janthea  wandered  up  and  down  in  the  land, 
and  his  misery  was  great,  for  nowhere  was  his  home, 
and  rags  were  his  only  covering.  But  when  he  was 
old,  Janthea  remembered  again  the  land  of  his  in- 
heritance, and  he  said,  "I  will  go  up  and  see  whether 
perchance  the  rains  have  returned  and  my  garden 


again  flourisheth." 

But  when  he  came  nigh  unto  the  place,  he  saw  no 
fence  round  about  it  anymore,  and  the  earth  was 
parched,  and  nothing  grew  thereon. 

And  Janthea  cried  aloud:  "Oh,  Lord,  why  hast  thou 
dealt  thus  with  me?  Surely  I  loved  this  garden,  and  I 
loved  him  who  gave  it  me  for  an  inheritance.  I  loved 
thee  and  walked  uprightly  before  thee,  and  notwith- 
standing this,  thou  hast  forsaken  me,  and  my  field  is 
laid  waste." 

Now  when  a  man  toiling  in  a  nearby  field  heard  the 
cry,  he  came  quickly,  saying,  "Why  dost  thou  lament 
in  this  manner?" 

And  Janthea  said  unto  him,  "Behold  my  garden 
which  was  given  me  for  an  inheritance.  But  the  rains 
came  not,  and  cattle  entered  and  trampled  into  the 
earth  even  that  which  was  left." 

The  one  who  was  come  to  inquire  answered  him 
not,  but  put  his  arm  about  Janthea  and  led  him  to 
the  shade  of  a  fig  tree;  and  when  he  had  seated  him, 
he  said  unto  him,  "Now  I  know  thee.  Thou  are  Janthea. 
Rememberest  thou  me?" 

Janthea  answered,  saying:  "Yea,  I  know  thee,  and  I 
perceive  that  thou  art  prosperous,  and  thy  vines  and 
fig  trees  are  heavy  with  fruit.  I  know  also  that  thy 
beautiful  flowers  are  blooming,  for  their  perfume  is 
in  my  nostrils.  Truly  God  hath  heaped  all  good  things 
on  one  but  taketh  from  another  even  all  that  he  hath." 

Dathan  gazed  out  upon  the  hard  earth  of  Janthea's 
garden  and  upon  the  man's  ragged  garments  and  wept. 
Janthea  was  astonished  and  said,  "Thou  art  blest 
above  all  men;  why  weepest  thou?" 

Dathan  answered,  "I  weep  not  for  myself,  but  for 
the  misery  which  is  on  thee,  for  even  though  I  should 
give  unto  thee  this,  mine  own  garden,  misery  would 
be  with  thee  still." 

Janthea  said:  "Yea,  it  must  needs  be,  for  God  hath 
forbidden  me  to  prosper  in  the  land.  It  were  better 
had  my  head  been  dashed  against  a  stone  in  my 
youth." 

But  Dathan  pointed  to  the  clear  stream  flowing  in 
his  garden,  and  spoke,       (Continued  on  page  159) 


FEBRUARY   196S 


95 


The  Firstffear 
\f fcer  Marriage 


BY  HARVEY  L.  TAYLOR 

VICE     CHANCELLOR 
UNIFIED   CHURCH    SCHOOL   SYSTEM 


PART  1 


One  of  our  fine  writers  on  the  subject  of  courtship  and 
engagement  has  said: 

"Engagement,  ideally,  is  the  understanding  reached 
when  the  exploration  of  courtship  has  brought  the  dis- 
covery that  a  couple  have  enough  in  common  in  their 
ideas,  ideals,  tastes,  interests,  and  emotions  to  be 
reasonably  sure  they  are  in  love. 

"When  courtship  has  reached  this  stage,  many  of  the 
uncertainties  and  perplexities  of  earlier  phases  belong 
to  the  past.  Jim  no  longer  is  in  doubt  about  whether 
Beth  really  enjoys  a  good  football  game  or  feels  the 
way  he  does  about  his  ambitions  to  be  a  physician. 
Beth  is  no  longer  uncertain  about  how  Jim  likes  her 
to  arrange  her  hair  or  whether  he  would  expect  her  to 
ask  him  for  spending  money  if  they  were  married. 
And  both  of  them  are  at  the  comfortable  stage  where 
they  can  be  themselves  and  act  natural  without  fear  of 
creating  friction  or  misunderstanding. 

"This  understanding  is  the  basis  of  the  feeling  of 
comradeship  that  is  one  of  the  signs  of  love.  There  is 
a  peculiar  satisfaction  in  agreeing  so  completely. 
Being  together  is  a  delight  because  of  the  many  things 
they  have  in  common.  The  feeling  of  comradeship 
even  though  apart  is  vastly  satisfying,  yet  one  that 
makes  it  impossible  to  be  content  if  long  separated.  It 
is  something  one  can  be  sure  about,  for  there  is  no 
mistaking  the  satisfactions  arising  from  this  feeling 
of  'togetherness'  in  essential  ideals,  interests,  and  tastes. 

"Closely  associated  with  the  intense  satisfactions  of 


comradeship,  there  is  another  distinctive  mark  of  love. 
It  is  the  sense  of  being  lifted  to  higher  levels  of  living. 
A  person  who  is  actually  in  love  is  involved  in  deep 
thinking  and  feeling  regarding  many  things  of  the 
utmost  meaning  in  life.  The  words  sweetheart,  wife, 
husband,  mother,  father,  child,  and  home  have  gath- 
ered about  them  some  of  the  most  significant  ideas 
in  human  thinking.  What  is  more  likely  to  involve 
greater  thoughtfulness,  tenderness,  and  self-subordi- 
nation of  finer  and  more  gripping  aspirations  than 
thoughts  of  the  home-sharing  experiences  upon  which 
every  genuine  lover  is  intent?  When  one's  thoughts  are 
much  occupied  with  such  matters,  life  is  quite  natu- 
rally lifted  and  energized.  A  lover  aspires  to  finer 
things,  is  more  conscious  than  ever  before  of  short- 
comings, and  finds  fresh  courage  and  strength  to 
realize  fine  ambitions. 

"When  a  couple  have  tested  and  proved  this  com- 
radeship and  its  lifting  power,  they  can  properly  con- 
clude that  they  are  in  love,  and  engagement  may 
rightly  follow  that  conclusion."  (Roy  E.  Dickerson, 
"When  a  Couple  Is  Engaged.") 

You  will  discover  that  the  first  year  after  marriage 
is  a  period  of  great  adjustment,  and  you  will  find  it 
unlike  any  other  experience  you  have  ever  had.  If  you 
are  not  prepared  to  recognize  and  make  these  adjust- 
ments, your  married  life  could  easily  begin  with  mis- 
understanding and  frustration. 

It  is  well  to  remember  that  each  will  bring  to  this 


96 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


new  life  a  concept  of  how  best  to  make  an  ideal  begin- 
ning as  married  partners.  Each  will  be  strongly  in- 
fluenced by  the  patterns  of  family  life  in  the  home  in 
which  he  or  she  was  reared  and  by  examples  of  suc- 
cessful married  couples  which  have  been  known 
to  him  or  her. 

If  you  have  already  anticipated  possible  differences 
and  have  discussed  these  during  your  courtship,  the 
difficulty  of  adjustment  the  first  year  after  marriage 
should  not  be  too  much  of  a  problem. 

I  believe  there  are  about  eight  basic  adjustments  you 
will  need  to  make  during  your  first  year— I  am  sure  no 
one  would  want  to  say  which,  if  any,  are  most  im- 
portant, so  we  may  as  well  begin  with  economic 
adjustment. 

[economic  fl 


Up  until  the  time  of  marriage  each  has  had  his  own 
income  from  what  he  or  she  has  earned,  possibly  sup- 
plemented by  amounts  provided  by  parents  or  others. 
Each  has  more  or  less  become  economically  inde- 
pendent and  has  been  accustomed  to  making  his  or 
her  own  budget  and  spending  the  money  according 
to  his  or  her  own  particular  desires.  After  marriage 
this  should  change.  Now  it  should  be  not  "my  money" 
but  "our  money."  In  recorded  statements  regarding 
dissatisfactions  that  arise  in  married  life,  you  will 
find  the  one  most  often  mentioned  is  the  inability  of 
married  couples  properly  to  resolve  their  financial  dif- 
ficulties. Therefore,  I  strongly  urge  that  you  begin  by 
making  a  budget  and  then  living  by  it.  You  will  find 
that  your  budget  will  have  to  be  changed  frequently 
because  the  times  and  circumstances  under  which  you 
live  change,  your  likes  and  dislikes  change,  your  wants 
change,  your  associations  change,  all  of  which  have 
marked  effect  upon  your  budget.  Nevertheless,  one  of 
the  best  ways  to  work  out  your  money  differences  is  to 
agree  on  a  budget.  Be  sure  to  give  consideration  to 
the  following: 

(1)  A  certain  amount  each  payday  should  be  put 
aside  as  savings.  Whether  this  amount  is  10c,  $10,  or 
$100,  this  should  be  consistently  done. 

(2)  Another  amount  should  be  set  aside  to  meet 
current  expenses. 


( 3 )  It  is  very  important  that  both  husband  and  wite 
have  an  allowance  and  that  there  be  no  accounting  to 
each  other  as  to  how  this  allowance  is  spent.  It  should 
be  understood,  however,  that  there  are  certain  things 
which  should  be  covered  from  the  allowance. 

(4)  From  the  very  beginning  plan  to  pay  your 
tithing— a  full  tithing.  Our  Heavenly  Father  will  bless 
the  home  that  makes  an  effort  to  do  those  financial 
things  which  help  to  carry  on  his  great  work  here  upon 
this  earth. 

Let  us  be  warned  of  the  dangers  of  overspending 
and  of  instalment  buying.  It  is  only  natural  when 
young  people  marry  that  the  husband  would  like  to 
obtain  everything  for  his  wife  that  she  could  want  or 
desire  in  the  way  of  a  home,  furniture,  appliances, 
automobiles,  and  clothes.  Many  things  today  can  be 
purchased  without  any  money  down.  This  is  a  great 
temptation  to  the  newly  married.  As  a  result  it  is  not 
uncommon  for  young  people  to  go  in  debt  far  beyond 
their  ability  to  pay.  In  many  cases  this  creates  un- 
happiness  and  discontent,  and  very  often  the  first 
misunderstandings  that  develop  between  young  mar- 
ried couples  are  over  the  matter  of  money  as  it 
relates  to  paying  instalment  commitments.  I  there- 
fore strongly  urge  that  you  begin  at  the  level  of  your 
ability  to  pay.  If  necessary,  be  content  with  used  furni- 
ture set  up  in  a  very  modest  home,  which  may  be 
rented.  Drive  a  car  that  is  not  beyond  your  means. 

Plan  to  own  your  own  home  as  soon  as  possible.  To 
begin  with,  let  this  be  a  modest  home.  The  average 
young  person  who  is  just  beginning  would  not  be 
able  to  afford  a  house  that  costs  $20,000  to  $30,000. 

Further,  make  all  money  matters  as  automatic  as 
possible  so  you  never  have  to  argue.  There  is  nothing 
that  destroys  marital  happiness  any  more  quickly  than 
to  have  to  argue  over  things  which  should  resolve 
themselves  automatically.  In  money  matters,  as  in  all 
others,  be  very  frank  with  each  other.  I  have  always 
felt  that  it  was  an  advantage  if  you  maintained  a  small 
account  from  which  to  pay  for  items  that  come  up 
unexpectedly.  But  before  either  one  of  you  draws  on 
this  account  it  is  my  judgment  that  the  matter  should 
be  discussed  and  agreement  reached  as  to  what  the 
money  should  be  spent  for. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  money  has  to  play  such  an 
important  part  in  the  lives  of  people,  but  this  is  the 
way  it  is,  and  regardless  of  how  you  feel  about  it, 
you  must  be  realistic  at  all  times.  If  you  approach  this 
subject  intelligently,  conservatively,  with  an  idea  that 


FEBRUARY   1965 


97 


you  are  not  going  to  overspend  regardless  of  your 
tastes,  you  will  be  able  to  meet  the  issues  as  they  come 
up,  resolve  the  differences  as  they  arise,  and  be  able 
to  realize  the  goals  you  set  for  yourselves  even  though 
it  may  take  several  years  to  do  so. 

A  high  school  home  economics  teacher  told  of 
taking  a  group  of  her  young  high  school  girls  to  visit 
a  very  lovely  new  home,  tastefully  decorated  and 
furnished.  As  one  of  the  girls  said  good-bye  to  the 
hostess,  she  turned  to  her  and  said,  "Mrs.  Blank,  when 
I  get  married  I  am  going  to  have  a  home  just  like  this." 
Mrs.  Blank  smiled  and  held  the  youngster's  hand  for 
a  moment  and  said,  "I  hope  you  might,  my  dear.  It 
took  us  over  thirty  years  to  get  it." 


Now  let's  talk  about  personal  adjustments.  Prior  to 
your  marriage  each  of  you  had  developed  ways  of 
doing  and  thinking  which  were  peculiar  to  you.  Since 
you  were  responsible  pretty  much  to  yourself,  it  did 
not  make  too  much  difference  just  what  these  were 
so  long  as  they  conformed  with  the  general  social,  re- 
ligious, and  economic  patterns  of  the  environment  in 
which  you  lived.  Now,  it  may  be  to  the  best  interest 
of  your  combined  happiness  if  some  adjustments  are 
made.  Some  of  these  might  be  as  follows: 

1.  Your  choice  of  foods 

2.  How  foods  are  prepared 

3.  Time  for  meals 

4.  Where  meals  are  eaten 

5.  Kinds  of  foods  served  at  different  meals 

6.  The  kind  of  clothes  to  buy 

7.  The  care  that  should  be  taken  of  clothes 

You  will  find  that  very  often  you  have  differences  of 
opinion  regarding  radio  and  TV  programs.  You  will 
have  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  kind  of  books  and 
magazines  that  should  be  bought.  I  cannot  feel  that 
it  is  fair  fqr  the  husband  to  insist  on  having  just  the 
books  and  magazines  he  wants  to  read.  There  should 
be  a  compromise  so  that  both  are  satisfied. 

There  may  also  be  differences  of  opinion  regarding 


the  use  of  language  in  the  home,  frequency  of  enter- 
taining guests,  whether  or  not  there  should  be  read- 
ing in  bed  and  the  playing  of  music  after  retiring.  The 
question  also  should  be  settled  regarding  opening  each 
other's  mail.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  members  of  a 
family  to  feel  that  they  should  be  informed  as  to  what 
goes  on  in  private  telephone  conversations.  Many  do 
not  approve  this.  Privacy  is  very  important  in  the  lives 
of  married  people  and  should  be  respected.  I  also  be- 
lieve that  it  is  very  wrong  to  talk  about  old  love 
affairs. 

It  is  important,  too,  that  the  man  not  constantly  re- 
mind his  wife  about  his  mother's  wonderful  cooking. 
There  are  ways  of  handling  matters  of  this  kind  if 
they  are  done  tactfully  and  with  love,  and  they  need 
never  offend. 

It  is  very  important  that  you  respect  each  other's 
personal  belongings,  belongings  of  all  kinds.  One  or 
the  other  of  you  may  have  come  from  a  home  where 
it  is  very  common  to  have  no  particular  privacy,  that 
which  belongs  to  one,  belongs  to  all.  I  have  no  par- 
ticular brief  against  this  concept,  if  both  agree.  How- 
ever, one  of  the  partners  may  have  come  from  a  home 
where  this  sort  of  thing  is  not  tolerated.  This  difference 
of  opinion  as  with  other  matters  should  be  talked 
over,  and  there  should  be  an  effort  to  compromise  in 
such  a  way  that  the  interests  and  activities  of  each 
other  will  have  an  opportunity  to  develop  to  the  fullest 
and  not  at  the  expense  of  the  other. 


May  we  now  say  something  about  physical  adjust- 
ment? Two  people  living  so  closely  together  need  to 
make  many  very  delicate  physical  adjustments.  Every 
attention  should  be  given  to  the  care  of  your  person. 
Great  personal  cleanliness  is  absolutely  a  must.  You 
may  have  to  make  adjustments  to  such  things  as  hay 
fever  and  allergies.  The  menstrual  period  will  also 
need  to  be  understood  by  both. 

The  question  of  your  sex  life  and  relations  is  one 
which  should  be  treated  with  the  greatest  delicacy  and 
understanding.  To  many  this  is  thought  of  as  only  a 


98 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


physical  experience.  In  my  judgment  it  is  much  more 
than  this.  It  can  become  a  very  beautiful  spiritual  ex- 
perience which,  if  properly  understood,  can  result  in 
bringing  young  married  couples  close  together  in  love 
and  appreciation  for  one  another.  The  proper  under- 
standing and  righteous  approach  to  this  particular  part 
of  your  physical  adjustment  can  result  in  a  type  of 
marital  happiness  which  will  be  of  the  highest  order 
and  which  will  create  love  and  understanding  and 
appreciation  for  one  another  of  a  type  that  nothing 
else  can.  On  the  other  hand,  the  opposite  can  be  true 
and  very  often  is,  and  results,  if  not  in  divorce,  in 
much  unhappiness,  distrust,  and  often  physical  and 
emotional  illness.  It  is  well  to  remember  in  all  your 
physical  relationships  pertaining  to  your  sex  life  that 
you  are  children  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  in 
you  are  the  highest  endowments  of  any  living  creature 
on  the  earth,  and  therefore  you  should  keep  this  rela- 
tionship sweet  and  holy.  Never  reduce  it  to  the  level  of 
the  animal. 


Now  may  we  turn  to  some  important  problems  per- 
taining to  your  emotional  adjustment.  It  is  well  for 
the  man  to  remember  there  is  often  a  very  strong  desire 
for  his  wife  to  want  to  return  to  her  home  occasionally 
and  be  with  her  mother.  This  is  natural.  Your  new  wife 
feels  very  keenly  her  responsibility  as  a  home  builder, 
and  it  gives  her  a  great  deal  of  satisfaction  to  talk  at 
great  lengths  about  things  not  of  interest  to  her  hus- 
band and  understood  only  by  her  mother.  It  is  not  that 
she  is  running  home  to  her  mother  as  a  tale  bearer, 
but  it  is  more  to  have  the  assurance  that  what  she  is 
doing  is  right  and  that  she  is  succeeding  in  her  re- 
sponsibilities as  a  new  wife. 

Likewise,  the  man  will  often  want  to  spend  an 
evening  with  his  old  gang.  There  is  no  reason  why 
he  shouldn't  at  times  go  out  with  the  boys  with  whom 
he  associated  before  he  was  married.  But  on  the  other 
hand,  if  it  means  leaving  his  wife  home  alone  too  often, 
this  is  something  that  should  be  avoided.  What  might 
have  been  fine  relationships  between  husband  and 


wife  have  been  strained  because  the  husband  in- 
sisted that  he  must  spend  several  nights  a  week  with 
his  old  cronies,  doing  things  which  they  like  to  do  and 
in  which  they  feel  women  should  not  be  interested. 
During  pregnancy  a  man .  should  not  leave  his  wife 
alone  any  more  than  he  has  to  if  it  is  her  desire  that 
he  stay  home  with  her. 

A  girl  also  often  has  the  fear  that  she  won't  be 
able  to  make  the  kind  of  home  that  her  husband  wants. 
This  causes  her  great  concern.  The  man  often  worries 
that  he  won't  be  able  to  make  a  living  for  his  wife  and 
family  on  the  scale  that  he  knows  she  would  like 
and  which,  of  course,  he  would  like.  He  is  also  afraid 
that  he  can't  give  his  wife  all  the  things  that  he  would 
like  her  to  have.  There  isn't  a  man  who  really  loves 
his  wife  who  wouldn't  like  her  to  have  the  finest 
clothes  in  the  shops,  the  finest  furniture  that  artisans 
can  make,  and  the  most  beautiful  home  that  builders 
can  build.  Few  young  men  can  provide  such 
things.  However,  the  most  important  things  that  any 
woman  wants  or  that  any  man  wants  after  marriage 
are  love,  understanding,  and  appreciation.  If  they  have 
these  things,  money,  homes,  cars,  furniture,  and  all  the 
other  things  will  be  of  small  importance. 

Let  me  urge  you  to  respect  each  other's  opinions  and 
ideas.  There  isn't  such  a  thing  as  one  being  all  right 
and  one  being  all  wrong.  Do  not  argue  about  things, 
but  hear  each  other  out.  Ofttimes  it  isn't  even  necessary 
that  it  be  established  whether  one  is  right  and  one  is 
wrong,  but  it  is  desirable  that  each  have  an  opportunity 
to  "speak  his  mind."  If,  however,  the  time  arrives— 
and  it  often  does— when  a  decision  has  to  be  made 
and  there  is  a  division  of  opinion  as  to  what  should 
be  done,  it  is  often  a  good  idea  for  each  to  express 
how  he  feels  about  it  and  then  wait  several  days  and 
see  how  things  come  out.  More  often  than  not,  one  or 
the  other  will  come  over  to  the  opinion  of  the  other  so 
that  there  will  be  no  problem. 

I  urge  you  to  try  to  find  a  way  to  eliminate  moods, 
temper,  crying,  and  feelings  of  jealousy.  These  all 
undermine  the  high  spiritual  life  of  individuals  and 
make  for  discontent  and  for  misunderstanding.  Self- 
ishness is  a  great  destroyer  of  home  life.  Of  course 
there  are  a  large  number  of  other  personal  adjustments 
which  we  don't  mention  here.  However,  you  will  find 
that  most  of  the  ones  we  have  discussed  are  those  that 
you  will  have  to  meet  the  first  year  after  your  marriage 
and  are,  therefore,  important  to  you  now. 

(To  be  continued) 


FEBRUARY    1963 


99 


SINCE 
CUMORAH 


BY   HUGH    N1BLEY.   PH.D. 

PROFESSOR    OF    HISTORY    AND    RELIGION, 
BRIGHAM    YOUNG    UNIVERSITY 


The  Search  for  the  Original  Scriptures 

•  A  conspicuous  aspect  of  most  of  an  extensive  daily  dissembling  to 
the  recently  discovered  Christian  keep  unqualified  outsiders  from 
writings,  as  well  as  of  the  early  meddling  with  things  they  would 
Apocrypha  in  general,  is  the  fre-  not  understand  or  appreciate.  Both 
quent  insistence  in  them  on  secrecy,  types  of  reticence  are  conspicuous 
At  present  anthropologists  are  be-  in  the  early  Jewish  and  Christian 
coming  increasingly  aware  that  the  literature.  In  the  Dead  Sea  Scrolls 
deliberate  suppression  of  informa-  the  people  of  the  community  are 
tion  by  the  native  peoples  among  instructed  not  to  discuss  their  doc- 
whom  they  work  is  far  more  gen-  trines  and  doings  with  "the  people 
eral,  far-reaching,  and  significant  of  the  pit,"  i.e.,  the  outside  world;2 
than  they  hitherto  have  been  will-  but  aside  from  that  they  are  put 
ing  to  admit.  As  a  recent  study  under  specific  oaths  of  secrecy  re- 
points  out,  there  are  two  main  kinds  garding  certain  specific  things.3 
of  reticence:  "...  a  whole  body  of  When  Jesus  instructed  Peter, 
material  was  secret   in   the   sense  James,  and  John  to  tell  no  man  of 


that  it  was  to  be  kept  from  the  out- 
sider .  .  .  the  non-Aborigine.  There 
was  also  secret  information  which 


what  they  had  seen  on  the  Mount 
of  the  Transfiguration,  he  was 
withholding  sacred  things  from  the 


V 


Ojt>  kt^lmMAJu  kfiAUU&fs  iidLujkJh^t, 


was  to  be  kept  from  the  uninitiated. 
...  I  refer  to  the  former  as  dis- 
sembled culture."1 

Latter-day  Saint  missionaries 
laboring  among  native  peoples  have 
long  noted  the  existence  among 
them  of  both  genuine  secrets,  that 
is,  things  too  sacred  to  be  men- 
tioned to  anybody  outside  of  a  par- 
ticular time,  place,  and  religious 
occasion,  and  on  the  other  hand  of 


uninitiated;4  when  on  the  other 
hand  he  parried  tricky  questions  of 
the  Pharisees  by  asking  them  coun- 
ter questions  and  then  telling  them 
that  if  they  could  not  answer  him 
he  would  not  answer  them,  he  was 
simply  evading  them.5  In  the 
Clementine  Recognitions,  when 
Peter  refuses  to  tell  Clement  about 
salvation  for  the  dead  until  Clement 
himself  has  received  certain  ordi- 


100 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


nances,  he  is  withholding  secret 
teachings,6  but  when  he  refuses  to 
discuss  the  nature  of  the  Godhead 
with  Simon  Magus,  he  explains  that 
he  is  deliberately  evading  the  man 
because  he  has  no  real  desire  to 
learn  about  the  Godhead  and  only 
wants  to  cause  trouble.7 

Recently  Professor  Goodenough 
of  Yale,  after  long  years  of  search- 
ing among  the  earliest  archaeologi- 
cal remains  of  Judaism,  has  been 
able  to  show  that  there  has  existed 
through  the  centuries  not  one  but 
two  distinct  types  of  Judaism, 
the  one  following  what  he  calls  "the 
horizontal  path,"  the  other  "the 
vertical  path."8  The  former  type, 
variously  designated  as  rabbinic, 
halachic,  normative,  or  Talmudic 
Judaism,  is  the  only  Judaism  known 
to  our  histories  today.  This  is  be- 
cause its  representatives  have,  by 
years  of  determined  struggle,  either 
stamped  its  rival  out  entirely  where 
they  could,  or  forced  it  under- 
ground. "The  final  victory  of  rab- 
binic Judaism  over  its  ancient  mys- 
tic rival,"  writes  Goodenough, 
"makes  it  hard  to  convince  modern 
Jews  of  the  reality  of  Jewish  mys- 
tical tradition."9 

The  old  submerged  Judaism  has 
been  called  Hasidic,  cabbalistic, 
mdasimic,  and  Karaitic,  but  none 
of  these  terms  is  very  satisfactory 
since  each  designates  only  some 
particular  underground  movement 


of  triumph,  blessed  meals  with  the 
Messiah.  .  .  ."10  This  preliminary 
glimpse  should  suffice  to  indicate 
that  what  all  "vertical"  Jews  had  in 
common  was  secrecy  and  emphasis 
on  Messianic  and  prophetic  teach- 
ings—teachings which  the  doctors 
of  the  schools  (the  "horizontal" 
tradition)  disliked  intensely  and 
opposed  with  all  their  might. 

Just  as  Goodenough  distinguishes 
between  two  conflicting  traditions 
of  Judaism  on  the  basis  of  recent 
archaeological  findings,  so  H.  J. 
Schoeps,  on  the  basis  of  new  manu- 
script discoveries,  distinguishes 
between  two  like  levels  of  Chris- 
tianity and  even  goes  so  far  as  to 
suggest  that  the  old  original  Chris- 
tianity was  actually  stamped  out  by 
the  latter  type,11  which  was  intel- 
lectually orientated  and  strongly 
opposed  to  the  old  Messianic- 
millennialist  tradition.12  The  resem- 
blance between  the  corresponding 
schools  of  Jewish  and  Christian 
thought  is  not  accidental. 

The  Christian  doctors  got  their 
doctrine  and  philosophy  from  the 
same  Alexandrian  fount  from 
which  the  Jewish  doctors  got  theirs, 
both  being  dedicated  to  the  alle- 
gorical interpretation  of  the  scrip- 
tures and  the  basic  proposition  that 
revelation  and  prophecy  had  for- 
ever ceased.  Students  have  long 
been  aware  that  primitive  Chris- 
tianity was  a  carrying  forward  of 


wholly  bereft  of  the  apocalyptic 
wing  which  had  passed  over  into 
Christianity."14  It  was  because  it 
represented  that  other  tradition,  as 
Professor  Torrey  has  shown,  that 
early  Christianity  was  so  intensely 
unpopular  with  the  Jewish  scribes 
and  Pharisees;  everything  in  the 
Christian  teaching  suggested  to 
their  minds  the  old  vertical  Mes- 
sianic Judaism— Justin  Martyr  in- 
sists on  bringing  the  identity  of  the 
two  to  the  attention  of  the  resentful 
Jew  Trypho  again  and  again. 

"If  we  had  only  the  traditions  of 
the  Jews  themselves,"  Goodenough 
assures  us,  "we  should  hardly  have 
suspected  the  existence  of  the 
whole  body  of  apocryphal  and 
pseudepigraphical  literature,  for 
these,  I  repeat,  have  survived 
thanks  only  to  Christian  copyists."15 
But  these  writings  which  the  Jewish 
doctors  had  rejected  and  the  early 
Christians  accepted  were  in  time 
rejected  by  the  Christian  doctors 
also,16  and  so  were  lost  both  to  the 
Jewish  and  the  Christian  worlds, 
their  very  existence  denied  by  "of- 
ficial" Judaism  and  Christianity, 
and  sank  out  of  sight  until  their 
rediscovery  in  our  own  day. 

The  recognition  of  the  "under- 
ground" nature  of  vertical  Judaism 
and  Jewish  Christianity  supplies  the 
student  with  valuable  clues  to  un- 
derstanding the  real  background 
of  the  Bible,  of  which  one  begins 


OJbtMSA  d^JL3^*iy)  hwH^t^jtw  {MA^~uubQeMMh^ 


I) 


1  NEPHI  13-26 


in  Judaism.  Seeking  an  over-all  term, 
Goodenough  refers  to  the  "vertical" 
tradition  (i.e.,  seeking  direct  as 
against  historical  contact  with  heav- 
en), and  cautiously  uses  the  word 
"mystic"  to  describe  it.  It  is  not 
surprising  that,  in  order  to  survive, 
"later  teachers  of  this  tradition  de- 
veloped a  'secret  teaching'  (I  dare 
not  say  Mystery)  .  .  .  characterized 
by  a  succession  of  heavens,  thrones 


the  old  "vertical"  Jewish  tradition, 
from  which  it  inherited  the  apocry- 
phal writings  which  were  so 
despised  by  the  Jewish  and  Chris- 
tian doctors  alike.13  "Legalistic 
Pharisaism,"  wrote  R.  H.  Charles 
many  years  ago,  "in  time  drove  out 
almost  wholly  the  apocalyptic,  i.  e., 
prophetic,  element  .  .  .  and  became 
the  parent  of  Talmudic  Judaism," 
whereupon  Judaism  became  "almost 


to  think  now  more  than  ever  in 
terms  of  hidden  treasures.  Only 
consider  the  illusive  nature  of  the 
Bible  through  the  ages:  why  has 
it  ever  been  a  subject  of  the  widest 
disagreement,  as  St.  Augustine 
notes  with  sorrow,  among  even  the 
most  pious,  devout,  and  learned 
men?  If  such  men  cannot  agree, 
Origen  pointed  out  in  the  third 
century,  lesser  men  such   as  our- 


FEBRUARY    1965 


lOt 


selves  can  never  be  perfectly  sure 
of  what  the  Bible  means.17  If  we  are 
to  approach  certainty  at  all,  the  first 
step  must  be  to  ask  what  in  our  day 
has  become  the  all-engrossing  ques- 
tion of  biblical  scholarship,  namely: 
What  was  the  original  form  in 
which  the  message  was  conveyed? 
What  did  the  original  Testaments 
look  like? 

In  Joseph  Smith's  day  it  was 
generally  assumed  that  the  Old 
Testament  had  always  been  a  single 
book,  written  without  error  by  the 
very  finger  of  God.  A  hundred 
years  later,  in  the  heyday  of  higher 
criticism,  it  had  become  a  thing  of 
shreds  and  patches;  but  in  our  own 
time  the  essential  unity  of  the  writ- 
ings is  again  being  recognized, 
though  the  broad  picture  of  the 
original  state  of  the  record  is  just 
beginning  to  take  outline.  The 
picture  that  is  beginning  to  emerge 
is  remarkably  like  that  which  con- 
fronts us  in  the  pages  of  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  There  Nephi,  looking 
far  into  the  future,  is  shown  a  vision 
of  the  gentiles  bringing  "a  book" 
to  the  remote  descendants  of  his 
father  in  the  New  World  and  is 
told,  "The  book  that  thou  beholdest 
is  a  record  of  the  Jews,  which  con- 
tains the  covenants  of  the  Lord, 
which  he  hath  made  unto  the  house 
of  Israel;  and  .  .  .  also  .  .  .  many 
of  the  prophecies  of  the  holy  proph- 
ets; ..  "(1  Nephi  13:23.)  ' 


The  only  scriptures  Nephi  knew 
were  a  collection  of  writings,  more 
extensive  indeed  than  what  is  con- 
tained in  our  Old  Testament,  but 
not  conflicting  with  it. 

When  Lehi  eagerly  examined  the 
plates  which  his  sons  had  brought 
down  from  Jerusalem,  he  dis- 
covered that  they  contained  (1) 
".  .  .  the  five  books  of  Moses,  .  .  ." 
(2)  ".  .  .  the  prophecies  of  the  holy 
prophets,  from  the  beginning,  even 
down  to  the  commencement  of  the 
reign  of  Zedekiah;  .  .  ."  (3)  "And 
also  a  record  of  the  Jews  from  the 
beginning,  .  .  ."  including  a  gene- 
alogy of  the  whole  line  of  Joseph, 
embracing  Lehi's  own  forefathers. 
(Ibid.,  5:11-14.)  These  writings 
are  designated  in  modern  Jewish 
terminology  as  the  Tanach,  i.e.,  the 
Torah,  the  Prophets,  and  the  His- 
toric and  other  writings. 

These  are  the  elements  of  Nephi's 
Bible,  and  of  ours,  which,  he  as- 
sures us,  contains  an  authentic  rec- 
ord as  far  as  it  goes,  and  "many  of 
the  prophecies  of  the  holy  proph- 
ets," but  by  no  means  all.  As  we 
have  seen,  Jewish  scholars  today 
emphatically  insist  that  the  early 
Jews  made  no  distinction  between 
a  canon  and  noncanonical  writings, 
that  is,  the  scriptures  of  Nephi's  day 
did  indeed  embrace  far  more  ma- 
terial than  is  recognized  as  canoni- 
cal today  and  included  in  our  Old 
Testament.    To   make  up  for   the 


Bible  and  in  the  Qumran  manu- 
script, a  thousand  years  older."19  So 
Nephi  is  right  on  both  scores:  the 
record  is  indeed  true  and  "of  great 
worth,"  though  it  is  far  from  com- 
plete. 

Towards  the  close  of  his  book, 
Nephi  quotes  two  chapters  of 
Isaiah  (48  and  49)  in  full.  This 
would  indeed  be  a  daring  thing  for 
a  forger  to  do— to  include  whole 
pages  of  the  Bible  in  a  work  de- 
signed to  fool  the  Bible-reading 
public.  Still  worse,  the  language  is, 
without  any  attempt  at  disguise, 
that  of  the  King  James  version. 
If  the  author  of  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon were  an  impostor,  his  attempts 
to  deceive  are  prodigiously  artless. 
Isn't  the  Book  of  Mormon  supposed 
to  be  an  original  translation?  Why 
does  it  simply  copy  the  King  James? 
For  the  very  good  reason,  as  we 
have  shown  elsewhere,20  that  it 
has  always  been  the  practice  for  in- 
spired prophets  to  quote  early 
scriptures  not  in  some  lost  archaic 
version  but  always  in  the  Bible 
language  current  with  their  hearers. 

When  the  Apostles,  the  Angel 
Gabriel,  and  the  Lord  himself  quote 
the  ancient  prophets  in  the  New 
Testament,  it  is  usually  the  text 
of  the  Septuagint  that  they  quote. 
Why?  Because  that  was  the  origi- 
nal language  of  the  prophets  or 
the  angels?  No,  but  because  it  was 
the  official  scripture  of  the  persons 


II 


4&CMUQJL tyf^ittM^klMJUJ  mwU  &aJL7U$W^(^M^M  v^ofc&b 


This  is  our  Old  Testament,  but 
such  a  book  was  quite  strange  to 
Nephi,  and  the  angel  explains  that 
"...  it  is  a  record  like  unto  the 
engravings  which  are  upon  the 
plates  of  brass,  save  there  are  not 
so  many;  nevertheless,  they  con- 
tain the  covenants  of  the  Lord  .  .  . 
unto  the  house  of  Israel;  wherefore, 
they  are  of  great  worth  unto  the 
Gentiles."    (Idem.   Italics   added.) 


disturbing  awareness  of  losses  from 
the  Old  Testament,  we  have  the 
comforting  assurance  of  the  Dead 
Sea  Scrolls  that  our  Old  Testament 
texts  are  older  and  more  valuable 
than  anyone  had  heretofore  dared 
hope,  that,  for  example,  "the  text 
of  Isaiah  preserved  in  the  Masora 
(our  Old  Testament)  was  based  on 
an  extremely  early  textual  type, 
which  is   almost  identical   in   our 


being  addressed.  The  Lord  speaks 
to  all  people  not  in  the  language 
of  heaven  or  proto-Hebraic  or 
Adamic,  but  ".  .  .  after  the  manner 
of  their  language,  that  they  might 
come  to  understanding."  (D&C 
1:24.  Italics  added.)  The  English 
Book  of  Mormon  when  it  quotes 
the  Bible  follows  the  English  of  the 
King  James  version  wherever  pos- 
sible, because  that  happened  to  be 


102 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


the  one  official  version  of  the  scrip- 
tures known  to  the  people  for 
whom  the  Book  of  Mormon  was 
translated.  In  short,  today,  as  in 
ancient  times,  people  are  always 
preached  to  from  their  own  Bible. 

But  the  Book  of  Mormon  follows 
the  language  of  the  King  James 
Bible  only  as  far  as  the  latter  con- 
veys the  correct  meaning  of  the 
original.  So  far  is  Nephi's  transla- 
tion of  Isaiah  from  being  a  slavish 
repetition  of  our  Bible  that  there 
is  hardly  a  single  verse  that  is 
identical  in  the  two  translations! 
Granting  that  Nephi  was  reading  a 
text  of  Isaiah  barely  a  hundred 
years  old,  one  would  naturally  ex- 
pect some  discrepancies  between 
it  and  the  manuscripts  available  to 
us.  But  how  would  they  differ? 
Here  a  forger  would  be  on  danger- 
ous ground  indeed,  and  one  ap- 
proaches the  Book  of  Mormon 
demonstration  with  considerable 
interest. 

If  we  underline  in  red  every 
word  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  text 
of  Isaiah  48  and  49  that  is  not 
found  in  the  King  James  Bible  and 
vice  versa  we  get  a  surprising  dis- 
play of  color,  especially  in  the  Book 
of  Mormon.  Most  of  the  differences 
are  quite  minor  ones,  such  as  an 
extra  "nevertheless,"  "yea,"  "but," 
"behold,"  etc.,  but  there  are  four 
passages  that  stand  out  spectacu- 
larly in  almost  solid  red.  They  are 


tion  is  based.21  Unfortunately  both 
the  Dead  Sea  (Cave  I)  text  of 
Isaiah  and  the  Septuagint  text 
happen  to  be  inferior  articles,  the 
former  "rather  an  anticlimax"  to 
the  hopes  of  scholars,  and  the  latter 
"among  the  poorest  [texts]  in  the 
Greek  Bible."22 

But  even  if  we  do  not  find 
the  clear-cut  contrasts  that  so 
gratify  the  student  who  compares 
other  books  of  the  Old  Testament 
in  the  Qumran,  Septuagint,  and 
Masoretic  versions,  the  case  is  far 
from  hopeless,  for  we  do  find 
significant  variations  when  we  com- 
pare chapters  48  and  49  of  Isaiah 
in  the  King  James  (Masorete) 
Bible  and  the  Septuagint.  Again 
we  compare  the  red  markings,  and 
again  just  four  passages  stand  out, 
to  wit,  48:1,  14,  and  49:1,  13,  the 
same  passages  in  which  the  Book 
of  Mormon  conflicts  with  the  King 
James!  Of  course  a  very  sly  and 
thorough  operator  even  a  hundred 
years  ago  could  discover  the  dis- 
crepancies, since  both  texts  were 
available  at  that  time,  and  exploit 
them.  But  there  was  no  exploita- 
tion. Aside  from  the  fact  that  such 
a  clever  person  would  not  run  the 
risk  of  competing  with  the  Bible 
in  the  first  place,  one  must  recog- 
nize that  the  coincidence  was  never 
pointed  out  or  apparently  even 
noticed  by  anybody.  Moreover,  in 
these  four  verses  the  Book  of  Mor- 


and  it  does.  Here  is  how  they  com- 
pare: 

Isaiah  48:1 

King  James   (Masoretic): 

Hear  ye  this,  O  house  of  Jacob, 
which  are  called  by  the  name  of 
Israel,  and  are  come  forth  out  of 
the  waters  of  Judah,  which  swear 
by  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  make 
mention  of  the  God  of  Israel,  but 
not  in  truth,  nor  in  righteousness. 

Septuagint: 

Hear  these  things,  house  of  Jacob, 
who  are  called  by  the  name  of 
Israel  and  who  came  forth  out 
of  Judah,  who  swear  by  the  name  of 
[the]  Lord  God  of  Israel,  remem- 
bering [him]  neither  in  truth  nor 
in  justice. 

Book  of  Mormon: 

Hearken  and  hear  this,  O  house 
of  Jacob,  who  are  called  by  the 
name  of  Israel,  and  are  come  forth 
out  of  the  waters  of  Judah,  or  out 
of  the  waters  of  baptism,  who 
swear  by  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and 
make  mention  of  the  God  of  Israel, 
yet  they  swear  not  in  truth  nor  in 
righteousness. 

Isaiah  48:14 

King  James: 
All  ye,  assemble  yourselves,  and 


facftSb  f&Ajb  pW}^  Q^UMdju^  (^d^maAm  clo  />fe0iiAi- 


48:1,  14,  and  49:1,  13.  Now  one  of 
the  important  results  of  recent  Dead 
Sea  Scrolls  investigations  is  the 
recognition  that  the  text  of  the 
Septuagint  (the  Greek  translation 
of  the  Old  Testament  done  in  the 
third  century  BC  opens  the  door 
to  very  old  and  valuable  texts  of 
the  Old  Testament  that  differ  quite 
markedly  from  the  Masoretic  text 
on  which  our  King  James  transla- 


mon  does  not  follow  either  the  King 
James  or  the  Septuagint.  This  too 
is  significant,  since  both  manu- 
scripts are  far  removed  from  the 
original,23  their  disagreements  show- 
ing not  what  the  original  said,  but 
only  that  in  these  particular  verses 
something  is  seriously  wrong.24  If 
Nephi's  version  ( 1  Nephi  20-21 )  is 
correct,  it  should  differ  from  both 
the  King  James  and  the  Septuagint 


hear;  which  among  them  hath  de- 
clared these  things?  The  Lord  hath 
loved  him:  he  will  do  his  pleasure 
on  Babylon,  and  his  arm  shall  be  on 
the  Chaldeans. 

Septuagint: 

And  they  shall  all  be  gathered 
together  and  shall  hear.  Who  an- 
nounced these  things  to  them?  Lov- 
( Continued  on  page  146 ) 


FEBRUARY    1365 


103 


The 
Inspired 


Ttgvision  of 


BY   ROBERT  J.    MATTHEWS 

EDITOR,     LDS     DEPT.     OF     EDUCATION 


•  The  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  explained  the  condition  of 
existing  texts  of  the  Bible  when  he  said:  "I  believe  the 
Bible  as  it  read  when  it  came  from  the  pen  of  the  original 
writers.  Ignorant  translators,  careless  transcribers,  or  design- 
ing and  corrupt  priests  have  committed  many  errors."  {Teach- 
ings of  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  comp.  Joseph  Fielding 
Smith,  p.  327.) 

"From  sundry  revelations  which  had  been  received,  it  was 
apparent  that  many  important  points  touching  the  salvation 
of  men,  had  been  taken  from  the  Bible,  or  lost  before  it  was 
compiled."  (Ibid.,  pp.  9-11.) 


teachinq 


CONDUCTED    BY    THE    UNIFIED    CHURCH    SCHOOL    SYSTEM 


Likewise,  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
while  believing  the  Bible  "to  be  the  word  of  God,"  is  com- 
mitted to  an  acceptance  of  it  only  insofar  "as  it  is  translated 
correctly."   (Eighth  article  of  faith.) 

These  forthright  statements  by  the  Prophet  were  said  at 
a  time  when  most  Christians  (scholars  excepted)  considered 
the  Bible  so  perfect  and  correct  that  any  suggestion  of  change 
was  regarded  as  blasphemy.  Yet,  in  the  past  century  it  has 
been  the  non-LDS  students  and  scholars  who  have  been  the 
most  active  in  searching  and  comparing  the  ancient  manu- 
scripts in  an  effort  to  determine  what  the  original  text  really 
said. 

Interest  in  revising  and  translating  the  Bible  is  continuing 
at  the  present  time  with  greater  vigor  than  ever  before.  It 
would  seem  that  never  have  as  many  people  been  so  anxious 
to  know  and  so  willing  to  receive  a  new  translation  of  the 
Bible  as  is  currently  being  manifested  by  both  Jewish  and 
Christian  peoples. 

The  task  of  determining  the  original  meaning  and  fulness 
of  the  text  of  the  Bible  is  complicated  by  the  fact  that  not 
one  of  the  original  documents  is  available.  However,  new 
manuscript  discoveries  and  continued  language  study  are 
bringing  additional  evidences  to  light  with  the  result  that 
scholars'  viewpoints  and  interpretations  are  being  modified 
almost  daily.  As  a  consequence,  there  are  many  versions  and 
revisions  of  the  Bible  available  today,  each  differing  some- 
what from  all  of  the  others,  according  to  the  particular 
manuscript  used  and  the  viewpoint  of  the  translator. 

This  intense  activity  and  multiplication  of  versions 
simply  illustrates  the  spirit  of  the  eighth  article  of  faith,  that 
is:  an  entirely  accurate  and  reliable  translation  of  the  Bible 
is  not  available. 

Joseph  Smith  the  Prophet  also  made  a  Bible  revision  or, 
as  he  termed  it,  a  "new  translation,"  using  a  copy  of  the 
King  James  Version  as  a  text.  This  "new  translation," 
although  not  complete,  contains  thousands  of  variations 
from  any  other  Bible  known.  The  style  is  biblical,  but  the 
text  presents  much  information  not  to  be  found  in  other 
versions. 

Members  of  the  Church  are  aware  that  the  Prophet  made 
this  revision,  but  since  it  has  had  but  scant  use  by  them, 
its  content  and  value  are  only  slightly  appreciated.  Yet,  a 
knowledge  of  Joseph  Smith's  labors  with  the  Bible  is  quite 
desirable,  for  one  cannot  intelligently  discuss  the  eighth 
article  of  faith  without  it. 

This  series  of  articles  concerning  the  Inspired  Revision 
deals  with  some  of  Joseph  Smith's  great  contributions  toward 
understanding  and  interpreting  the  Bible,  and  it  attempts 
to  give  appreciation  for  this  particular  phase  of  the 
Prophet's  mission. 


ARTICLES 
OF  FAITH 


8.  ccWe  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of 


104 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


PART  ONE:  THE  MAKING  OF  THE 
INSPIRED  REVISION 

Why  Joseph  Smith  made  the  revision.  The  Prophet 
learned  from  Moroni's  first  visit  (Joseph  Smith 
2:36-39)  and  from  the  Book  of  Mormon  (1  Nephi 
13:21-32;  Mormon  8:33)  that  there  were  errors 
and  omissions  in  the  Bible.  As  early  as  1829  he  knew 
that  at  least  part  of  the  missing  scripture  would  be 
restored  and  errors  corrected.  (1  Nephi  13:32-40; 
D&C  6:26-27;  8:11;  9:1-2.) 

In  June  1830  the  "Visions  of  Moses"  were  revealed 
to  Joseph  Smith.  From  this  revelation  he  learned  that, 
although  some  of  Moses'  writings— as  found  in  the 
Bible— had  been  altered,  they  would  be  restored  to 
their  original  sense.   (See  Moses  1:40-41.) 

In  December  1830  Sidney  Rigdon  came  to  the 
Prophet,  desiring  to  learn  of  the  Lord's  will  concern- 
ing his  calling  and  activities  in  the  Church.  Joseph 
inquired  of  the  Lord  for  him  and  received  the  fol- 
lowing: ".  .  .  a  commandment  I  give  unto  thee  [Sidney] 
—that  thou  shalt  write  for  him  [Joseph];  and  the 
scriptures  shall  be  given,  even  as  they  are  in  mine  own 
bosom,  to  the  salvation  of  mine  own  elect."  (D&C 
35:20.) 

A  few  weeks  later  further  information  was  given 
to  the  Prophet  concerning  the  scriptures : 

"Thou  shalt  ask,  and  my  scriptures  shall  be  given 
as  I  have  appointed,  and  they  shall  be  preserved  in 
safety; 

"And  it  is  expedient  that  thou  shouldest  hold  thy 
peace  concerning  them,  and  not  teach  them  until  ye 
have  received  them  in  full."  (Ibid.,  42:56-57.) 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  these  allusions  to  new  and 
additional  scripture  were  given  after  the  Book  of 
Mormon  was  published  and  therefore  had  reference 
to  something  in  addition  to  that  volume.  The  Book 
of  Mormon  speaks  of  itself  as  helping  to  restore  many 
of  the  "plain  and  precious  things"  that  had  been 
taken  out  of  the  "records  of  the  twelve  apostles  of 
the  Lamb"  (see  1  Nephi  13:34-38),  but  it  also  speaks 
of  "other  books"  that  also  would  assist  in  bringing 


again  much  of  the  knowledge  that  had  been  "taken 
out"  of  the  Jewish  record.  (See  ibid.,  13:39-40.) 

Evidently  the  Prophet  did  not  take  it  upon  himself 
to  attempt  a  revision  or  correction  of  the  Bible  but 
declared  that  he  was  appointed  and  assigned  by  the 
Lord  to  do  the  work.  It  was  noted  above  that  Sidney 
Rigdon  was  counseled  by  revelation  to  assist  in  this 
undertaking. 

The  work  was  started  with  the  Old  Testament,  but 
on  March  7,  1831,  Joseph  was  instructed  by  the  Lord 
to  devote  his  efforts  to  the  translation  of  the  New 
Testament: 

"And  now,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  it  shall  not  be 
given  unto  you  to  know  any  further  concerning  this 
chapter,  until  the  New  Testament  be  translated,  and  in 
it  all  these  things  shall  be  made  known; 

"Wherefore,  I  give  unto  you  that  ye  may  now  trans- 
late it,  that  ye  may  be  prepared  for  the  things  to  come." 
(D&C  45:60-61.  Italics  added.) 

Obedient  to  this  injunction,  the  Prophet  and  Sid- 
ney labored  with  the  translation  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment; and  almost  a  year  later,  while  working  with 
the  Gospel  of  John,  they  were  given  an  extraordinary 
vision  of  conditions  in  and  after  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead.  A  comment  made  by  these  two  brethren  in 
connection  with  this  vision  is  highly  instructive  in 
relation  to  their  reason  for  attempting  to  make  a  Bible 
translation.  Said  they:  "For  while  we  were  doing  the 
work  of  translation,  which  the  Lord  had  appointed 
unto  us,  we  came  to  the  twenty-ninth  verse  of  the  fifth 
chapter  of  John.  .  .  ."  (Ibid.,  76:15.  Italics  added.) 
Thus  the  reason  is  clearly  stated  in  the  language  of 
revelation. 

It  was  in  this  light  that  Elder  Orson  Pratt  accepted 
the  Prophet's  work  with  the  text  of  the  Bible.  In  dis- 
coursing upon  the  subject  of  Bibles  in  general,  Elder 
Pratt  stated  that  the  Lord  commanded  Joseph  Smith 
to  make  a  new  translation  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments. He  likewise  declared  that  it  was  an  "inspired 
translation."  (Journal  of  Discourses  15,  247,  263;  1, 
56-57.) 

Such  statements  as  these  by  the  Prophet  and  by 
Elder  Pratt  give  evidence      (Continued  on  page  156) 


God  as  far  as  it  is  translated  correctly;  we  also 


FEBRUARY    196S 


lOS 


TALKS  GIVEN  AT  THE 
DEDICATION  OF  THE 


OAKLAND  TEMPLE 


"IN  THE 

PROCESS  OF 
TIME..." 


•  Brethren  and  sisters,  this  is  a  holy 
hour,  and  I  appreciate  the  oppor- 
tunity to  meet  with  you  in  this 
beautiful  new  temple. 

Before  bidding  you  welcome,  I 
feel  impressed  to  express  a  few 
words  of  gratitude  and  apprecia- 
tion—first, gratitude  to  our  Heav- 
enly Father  that  the  prophecy  con- 
tained in  an  epistle  that  President 
Brigham  Young  and  Dr.  Willard 
Richards  had  written  to  the  faints 
in  California  who  had  tcome  around 
Cape  Horn  under  the  presidency  of 
Samuel  Brannan,  that'  in  the  process 
of  time,  the  shores  df  the  Pacific 
may  yet  be  overlooked  from  the 


PRESIDENT  DAVID  O.  McKAY 

Temple  of  the  Lord,"  literally  has 
been  fulfilled.  We  are  grateful  that 
Elder  George  Albert  Smith,  then  a 
member  of  the  Twelve,  when  visit- 
ing in  San  Francisco,  while  looking 
eastward  from  his  hotel  room,  en- 
visioned a  temple  would  one  day 
surmount  the  East  Bay  hills— one 
that  would  be  visible  as  a  beacon  to 
ships  as  they  entered  the  Golden 
Gate  from  the  far-flung  nations 
of  the  earth. 

Ten  years  later,  in  1934,  we  are 
grateful  that  a  committee  of  three 
men— Elder  Eugene  Hilton,  chair- 
man, and  Elder  Delbert  F.  Wright, 
who  is  now  president  of  this  tem- 


ple, and  Elder  A.  B.  Graham— were 
moved  upon  by  the  Spirit  to  select 
this  site.  We  are  grateful  that  al- 
though two  other  sites  were  offered 
free  to  the  committee,  their  desire 
to  obtain  this  particular  spot  never 
left  them,  even  though  at  the  time 
this  property  was  not  for  sale. 
However,  in  1941  came  the  war 
with  Japan,  and  Brother  Graham, 
who  was  a  realtor,  reported  to  the 
committee  that  because  of  the  war, 
the  owner  of  the  site  they  desired 
above  all  else  was  unable  to  carry 
forward  his  plans  for  a  subdivision 
and  had  offered  to  sell  to  him  the 
entire  fourteen  and  one-half  acres 


106 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


for  $18,000.  Brother  Graham,  who 
has  long  since  gone  to  his  eternal 
reward,  was  asked  if  he  intended  to 
buy  the  property  for  his  own  use, 
and  he  replied,  "I  want  the  Church 
to  have  the  first  chance,  but  we 
shall  liave  to  act  fast."  President 
Hilton  said,  "We  shall  not  wait  for 
the  mails;  I  shall  go  directly  to 
Salt  Lake  City." 

In  1942,  President  Heber  J.  Grant 
appointed  me  to  go  to  San  Fran- 
cisco to  look  over  the  site.  I  was 
thrilled  with  what  I  saw  and  re- 
turned and  recommended  to  him 
that  the  land  now  known  as  "Tem- 
ple Hill"  be  purchased.  After  some 
difficulty  in  obtaining  two  addi- 
tional acres  which  were  absolutely 
necessary  to  provide  the  proper 
entrance  to  the  tract  itself,  and 
some  other  fringe  areas,  the  Oak- 
land Temple  site,  consisting  of  18.3 
acres,  was  finally  acquired. 

On  January  23,  1961,  I  met  with 
the  stake  presidencies  of  nineteen 
stakes  of  the  bay  area,  and  the 
presidency  of  the  Northern  Cali- 
fornia Mission,  and  announced  that 
the  First  Presidency  and  the  Twelve 
were  united  in  their  decision  that 
a  temple  should  be  built  in  this  area 
on  Temple  Hill.  The  enthusiastic 
response  and  expressions  of  support 
from  these  brethren  impressed  me 
deeply. 

On  Saturday,  May  26,  1962,  I 
returned  to  Oakland  and  officially 
broke  ground  for  the  temple. 

On  May  25,  1963,  President 
Joseph  Fielding  Smith  laid  the 
cornerstone  of  this  magnificent 
building. 

And  now,  this  day,  the  prophecy 
that  "in  the  process  of  time,  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific  may  yet  be 


overlooked  from  the  Temple  of  the 
Lord"  has  been  literally  fulfilled. 

Our  hearts  go  out  in  gratitude 
and  thanksgiving,  first  to  those 
three  men  who  were  appointed  in 
the  beginning  to  locate. ji  site  for  a 
temple,  and  secondly  to  these  stake 
presidencies  who  were  organized 
into  the  Oakland  Temple  Dis- 
trict and  who  by  unanimous  de- 
cision selected  President  O.  Leslie 
Stone,  then  of  the  Oakland-Berke- 
ley Stake,  as  chairman  and  Presi- 
dent David  B.  Haight  of  the  Palo 
Alto  Stake  as  vice-chairman,  with 
President  Carroll  William  Smith  of 
the  Klamath  Stake  and  President 
Dallas  A.  Tueller  of  the  Fresno 
Stake  as  members  of  the  executive 
committee,  and  to  all  others  who 
served  with  them  in  setting  in  mo- 
tion the  plans  for  the  building  of 
this  great  temple.  We  are  grate- 
ful, also,  for  the  devotion  and 
response  of  the  people  toward  the 
building  of  the  temple.  Children 
have  given  of  their  pennies  and 
widows  of  their  mites.  In  some 
stakes,  during  the  time  that  they 
were  raising  the  money  for  the 
temple,  the  tithing  increased  ten 
percent  over  the  previous  year. 
Brother  O.  Leslie  Stone,  chairman 
of  the  Oakland  Temple  District,  re- 
ported in  a  letter  dated  February 
5,  1963,  that  "we  have  now  raised 
in  cash  a  sum  slightly  in  excess  of 
the  $500,000  quota  which  was  set 
as  the  local  share  toward  the  cost 
of  the  Oakland  Temple.  These 
funds  are  now  on  deposit  with  the 
Presiding  Bishopric's  Office.  .  .  . 
Before  the  temple  is  completed,  we 
expect  to  be  able  to  turn  in  sub- 
stantially more  than  the  amount 
allocated  to  us." 


One  of  the  most  appreciative 
feelings  I  shall  ever  associate  with 
this  temple  is  the  faith,  the  loyalty, 
and  the  devotion  of  the  people  of 
this  district  in  their  voluntary  con- 
tributions. We  wish  to  express 
appreciation  for  all  those  who  have 
labored  so  earnestly,  so  conscien- 
tiously to  erect  this  edifice  and  to 
have  it  finished  on  time— the  archi- 
tects, the  contractors,  the  workers, 
who  have  labored  long  and  faith- 
fully to  have  the  temple  completed 
for  dedication. 

We  welcome  all  who  are  present 
at  this  session  of  the  dedicatory 
services.  It  is  a  memorable  event, 
and  everyone  present  this  morning 
is  favored  by  having  the  oppor- 
tunity of  attending  this  opening 
session. 

I  welcome,  also,  an  unseen,  but 
I  believe  a  real,  audience,  among 
whom  are  former  Presidents  and 
Apostles  of  the  Church,  headed  by 
the  Prophet  Joseph,  to  whom  was 
revealed  the  essential  ordinance  of 
baptism  for  those  who  have  died 
without  having  heard  the  gospel, 
President  Young,  President  Tay- 
lor, President  Woodruff,  President 
Snow,  President  Joseph  F.  Smith, 
President  Grant,  and  President 
George  Albert  Smith.  With  those 
distinguished  leaders,  we  welcome 
our  departed  loved  ones  whom  we 
cannot  see,  but  whose  presence  we 
keenly  feel. 

We  extend  gratitude  to  our 
Father  in  heaven  for  all  members 
of  the  Church  everywhere  and 
those  outside  of  the  Church  who 
have  put  forth  effort  to  bring  about 
the  consummation  of  this  glorious 
house  of  the  Lord. 


APPRECIATION 


BY  DELBERT  F.  WRIGHT 

PRESIDENT,    OAKLAND    TEMPLE 


President  McKay,  Counselors  in  the  grateful  we  are  for  your  presence  frustrations,   our  hearts   are  filled 

First  Presidency,  members  of  the  here  this  morning.  After  a  number  this  morning. 

Quorum   of  the  Twelve,    and   all  of  months  of  preparation  with  their  If  one  word  could  be  expressed 

those   associated   with   you.    How  usual     problems     and     sometimes  that  could  convey  to  you  our  inner  - 


FEBRUARY    1965 


107 


i 


V  , 


most  feelings,  I  think  it  would  be 
the  word  "appreciation."  I  remem- 
ber as  a  young  man  in  Ogden, 
Superintendent  of  Schools  John  M. 
Mills  once  said,  "True  wisdom  is 
to  know  how  to  act,  but  above  all 
to  appreciate."  So  we  are  extremely 
grateful  for  all  those  who  have  had 
a  part  in  this  wonderful  building— 
the  erection  of  it,  the  inspiration 
that  conceived  it,  the  creative 
genius  that  developed  the  plans, 
and  the  many  skilled  hands  that 
erected  this  house  of  the  Lord. 

With  the  completion  of  this 
building,  a  new  dimension  has 
come  into  the  moral  and  spiritual 
lives  of  the  people  in  this  area.  I 
know  because  I  have  talked  to 
many  of  them.  I  find  them,  having 
visited  this  house  in  great  numbers, 
over  345,000  of  them,  asking  me 
and  others  something  about  salva- 
tion. What  is  it?  And  for  the  first 
time  in  many  of  their  lives  they 
have  begun  to  think  about  it.  They 
were  given  some  basic  facts  as  they 
came  to  see  this  beautiful  edifice, 
and  many  of  them  were  obviously 
deeply  impressed. 

I  wish  I  could  tell  you  of  the 
many  letters  we  have  had,  the  many 
phone  calls.  Many  people  as  they 
left  the  building  would  try  to  ex- 
press themselves  and  would  choke 
up  and  couldn't  do  it.  And  I  mean 
many  not  of  our  faith,  because  I 
suppose  by  far  the  majority  of  those 
who  came  were  not  of  our  faith. 
And  I  think  many  for  the  first  time 
began  to  get  the  understanding  of 
what  Paul  meant  when  he  told  the 
Corinthian  Saints,  "There  are  also 
celestial  bodies,  and  bodies  terres- 
trial: but  the  glory  of  the  celestial 
is  one,  and  the  glory  of  the  terres- 
trial is  another. 

"There  is  one  glory  of  the  sun, 
and  another  of  the  moon,  and  an- 
other glory  of  the  stars :  for  one  star 
differeth  from  another  star  in  glory. 

"So  also  is  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead."  (1  Cor.  15:40-42.) 

The  world  thinks  it's  cute  to  sin 
a  little,  for  after  all,  they  reason, 
we  may  receive  a  few  stripes,  and 
then  we  are  all  equal.  They've 
rather  cynically  criticized  our  con- 
ception of  the  need  for  virtuous 
conduct  and  disciplining  of  man 
that  we  might  achieve  and  do 
something  beyond  attaining  the 
mediocrity  that  the  world  seems  to 
think  lies  in  store  for  God's  great 
creation,  man. 


As  the  old  proverb  reads:  "There 
is  none  so  blind  as  they  that  won't 
see."  (Swift,  Polite  Conversation.) 
We  had  one  fine  Protestant  minis- 
ter in  this  community  who  advised 
his  people  not  to  go  to  the  Mormon 
temple,  for  it  was  simply  a  proselyt- 
ing gimmick:  "They'll  get  your 
names,  and  then  they'll  send  mis- 
sionaries." But  after  the  first  week, 
his  congregation  found  that  he  had 
misled  them  a  little,  and  he  then 
found  it  necessary  to  give  a  sermon 
on  the  subject,  "How  Do  We  Meet 
the  Mormon  Challenge." 

Because  of  our  understanding  of 
the  great  purposes  of  God  and  of 
the  fact  that  men  will  inherit  what 
they  earn,  we  have  been  accused 
of  saying  that  no  one  will  be  saved 
except  the  Mormons.  And  these 
visitors  have  found  it  now  to  be 
quite  a  different  story  as  they  look 
into  it  and  read- the  pamphlets  we 
have  sent  them.  We  know  that 
those  who  live  according  to  the  law 
will  know  that  God  lives  and  that 
this  is  truth.  It  is  those  who  are 
weak  in  the  faith  who  fail  to  keep 
the  commandments.  One  must  be 
free  of  sin  to  have  a  real,  burning 
testimony,  and  this  is  what  the 
new  dimension  begins  to  let  these 
people  glimpse. 

We  feel  to  thank  with  all  our 
hearts  those  who  have  made  this 
possible.  I'm  thinking  of  these  fine 
people  on  the  building  committee, 
whom  I  have  come  to  love.  I'm 
thinking  of  all  those  of  you  who 
have  given  us  help  and  counsel. 
Sometimes  maybe  we  haven't 
shown  we  appreciated  it  enough, 
but  we  have  felt  it  deeply.  I'm 
thinking  of  the  fine  sisters  in  these 
stakes  who  have  contributed  so 
much  in  many  ways  during  the 
public  viewing  when  we  had  to 
clean  up  every  night.  They  would 
come  here  in  great  numbers  and 
offer  their  services  to  help  us.  And 
the  men,  too,  accompanied  them. 
I  think  of  the  sisters  who  developed 
a  little  booklet  with  poetry   and 


music  in  it.  I'm  going  to  read  one 
little  piece.  This  was  written  by 
Virginia  Brown  of  the  Oakland 
Ward. 

A  Temple  is  Built 

"A  Temple  does  not  rise  alone; 
Human  hands  must  lay  the  stone. 
Human  hands  must  touch  the  soil, 
And  labor  with  unceasing  toil. 
Gradually  the  stones  rise  high 
And  golden  spires  reach  toward  the 

sky. 
The  workers  finally  stand  aside 
And   gaze  upon  their  work  with 
■^:    pride. 
What  once  mere  rock  and  stone 

concealed, 
A  place  of  beauty  stands  revealed. 
The  stones  are  laid,  the  work  is 

done. 
Within,  God's  work  has  just  begun." 

And  then  another  was  written  by 
two  fine  women,  one  the  wife  of 
one  of  our  wonderful  workers  who 
had  a  great  part  in  the  interior  work 
of  the  temple,  Sister  Phelps,  who 
died  just  over  a  week  ago.  Here  is 
what  she  thought  about  her  hus- 
band's work: 

"From  far  and  wide  the  builders 

came, 
Not  seeking  personal  acclaim, 
But  rather  with  an  inner  flame, 
To  build  so  all  who  see  proclaim 
A  fitting  house  of  God. 
The  very  finest  craftsmanship, 
A  sense  of  real  stewardship, 
The  dedicated  leadership 
Joined  hands  in  true  companionship 
To  build  this  house  of  God." 

As  individuals  we  aren't  so  im- 
portant; the  work  to  be  done  here 
is  of  vital  importance.  We  pray  that 
we  may  do  it  properly,  that  our 
workers  will  have  the  spirit  of 
Elijah  and  learn  to  do  their  work 
properly,  that  you  will  support  us, 
and  that  our  Heavenly  Father  will 
bless  us  in  this  effort,  I  humbly 
pray  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Amen. 


108 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


THE  OAKLAND 

TEMPLE 
IN  THE  MAKING 


•  President  McKay  has  indicated 
that  I  should  say  a  few  words  to 
you  at  this  time,  and  I  humbly  pray 
for  an  interest  in  your  faith  and 
prayers  that  I  may  be  inspired  to 
say  something  that  will  be  beneficial 
on  this  occasion.  I  am  indeed  grate- 
ful to  President  Eugene  Hilton,  who 
headed  the  three  that  President 
McKay  has  told  you  about.  He  is 
here  with  us  this  morning.  He  cele- 
brated his  75th  birthday  last  week, 
but  it  was  through  his  vision  and 
his  tenacity  that  we  have  this 
beautiful  site  and  this  fine  building. 
President  Delbert  F.  Wright  was 
a  member  of  the  three  as  was  Presi- 
dent W.  Glenn  Harmon,  who  is 
unable  to  be  with  us  this  morning. 

You  know,  I  think  I  should  tell 
you  something  about  Eugene  Hil- 
ton. I  believe  he  is  the  most  suc- 
cessful man  I  have  met,  but  not 
in  worldly  goods.  He's  raised  seven 
sons  and  one  daughter.  They  all 
have  a  college  education.  They've 
all  been  married  in  the  temple. 
They've  all  fulfilled  missions  in  the 
Church,  and  they're  all  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  today.  What  a 
glorious  future  this  man  has  built 
with  his  good  wife  in  the  celestial 
kingdom. 

The  erection  of  this  temple  is  a 
dream  that  we  have  been  dream- 
ing in  this  area  for  over  thirty  years. 
"After  this  site  was  purchased, 
Berkeley  Stake  was  trying  to  find  a 
site  for  a  stake  center,  Oakland 
Stake  was  likewise  trying  to  find  a 
site,  and  President  Stephen  L  Rich- 
ards was  sent  here  by  the  First 
Presidency  to  check  into  the  matter. 
He  spent  two  or  three  days  looking 
over  the  entire  area,  and  finally  he 
called  the  brethren  together  and 
said,  "Brethren,  the  place  we  should 
have  a  site  is  right  here  on  the 
temple  grounds,  and  we  should 
build  a  multistake  center  that  will 
serve  many  stakes." 

At  that  time  we  didn't  have  any 
roads  into  this  area,  and  some  of 
us  wondered  about  the  location  for 


O.    LESLIE    STONE 

CHAIRMAN,    OAKLAND    TEMPLE    DISTRICT 

an  interstake  center.  But  the  week 
the  interstake  center  was  opened, 
the  freeway  was  opened  right  by 
our  property.  And  as  it  now  stands, 
when  the  freeway,  which  is  under 
construction,  is  finished  between 
here  and  Hayward,  all  of  our  peo- 
ple from  Hayward,  San  Lorenzo, 
San  Leandro,  Walnut  Creek,  Con- 
cord, and  Oakland-Berkeley  can 
come  to  the  stake  center  in  fifteen 
minutes.  Isn't  it  wonderful!  If  we 
had  built  the  city  around  the  center,  i 
acquired  it  when  Oakland  was 
first  started,  and  then  gradually 
built  the  city  in  the  area,  we 
couldn't  have  done  a  better  job. 
We  are  sure  that  our  Heavenly 
Father  has  been  instrumental  in  all 
of  this. 

President  McKay  told  you  what 
we  paid  for  the  first  not  quite 
fifteen  acres;  I  can  tell  you  what 
we  paid  for  the  last  quarter  of 
an  acre,  which  was  $25,000.  Six 
purchases  were  made.  We  thought 
at  one  time  we  might  lose  the 
property.  The  school  board  wanted 
to  take  it  for  a  school  site.  We 
called  President  Richards  on  the 
phone  and  explained  it  to  him,  and 
he  said,  "Brethren,  don't  worry 
about  it;  the  Lord  wants  that  for  a 
temple  site."  Within  forty-eight 
hours  they  came  to  us  and  told  us 
that  they  were  no  longer  interested 
in  the  property  for  a  school  site. 

In  January  1959  President  Rich- 
ards came  and  met  with  us  in  our 
interstake  center,  and  we  held  a 
thanksgiving  service.  We  didn't 
have  the  building  paid  for.  Over 
5,000  were  in  attendance  at  that 
meeting.  Then,  on  September  25, 
1960,  President  McKay  came  to 
dedicate  the  building.  I  remember 
meeting  him  in  San  Francisco. 
Sister  Stone  and  I  went  over  to 
meet  him.  His  plane  was  late.  We 
phoned  and  asked  them  to  go  ahead 
with  the  meeting  in  the  interstake 
center.  On  the  way  back  I  couldn't 
resist  asking  President  McKay  if 
he  could  give  us  some  indication  of 


that  day  when  we  might  expect  a 
temple  to  be  built.  I  think  he  was 
ready  for  that  question  because  he 
didn't  answer;  he  just  smiled, 
chuckled  a  little  bit,  and  that  was  } 
all  that  was  said  at  that  time. 

I  didn't  have  the  courage  to 
bring  it  up  again  until  after  the 
services,  which  incidentally  7,000 
attended.  On  the  way  back  to  the 
airport,  I  said,  "President  McKay, 
did  you  realize  that  we  have  75,000 
members  of  the  Church  in  what 
would  be  the  Oakland  Temple 
District?" 

And  he  said,  "No,  President 
Stone,  I  didn't  realize  that."  He 
said,  "I  had  thought  that  there  was 
one  other  place  we  should  build  a 
temple  before  Oakland,  but  now 
this  matter  must  be  reconsidered." 

I  heard  nothing  further  until  in 
December,  and  on  about  the  nine- 
teenth of  December  that  year, 
President  McKay  called  me  from 
Salt  Lake  and  said,  "President 
Stone,  I  have  just  come  from  meet- 
ing with  the  Presidency  and  the 
Quorum  of  the  Twelve,  and  it  has 
been  decided  to  proceed  with  the 
construction  of  the  Oakland  Tem- 
ple." He  said,  "I  wanted  you  to  be 
the  first  to  know  about  it."  How 
thoughtful  of  him! 

That  was  the  finest  Christmas  I 
think  we've  ever  had,  with  the  news 
that  we  were  going  to  build  a 
temple.  Then  he  came  in  January 
and  met  with  all  the  nineteen  stake 
presidencies  and  the  president  of 
the  Northern  California  Mission. 
The  committee  was  organized. 

We  asked  President  McKay  that 
day  what  he  thougjit  we  should 
raise  as  our  local  share  of  the  cost 
of  the  temple.  After  thinking  about 
it  he  said,  "I  think  maybe  you 
should  raise  whatever  you  feel  is 
right." 

We  thought  perhaps  that  wasn't 
quite  definite  enough,  so  we 
pressed  him,  "Could  you  name  a 
figure,  President  McKay?" 

He    said,    "Well,    maybe.  $400,- 


FEBRUARY    !'965 


109 


000.00  would  be  fair  and  equitable." 
And  the  stake  presidents  all  had  a 
brief  caucus. 

We  came  back  into  the  room,  and 
we  said,  "President  McKay,  we 
don't  think  you've  asked  us  for 
enough;  we  want  to  raise  you 
$100,000.  We'll  guarantee  to  raise 
not  less  than  $500,000."  I'm  happy 
to  report  to  you  this  morning  we 
have  collected  and  sent  in  and  have 
on  deposit  with  the  Presiding  Bish- 
opric over  $625,000  that  the  Saints 
in  this  area  have  contributed,  and 
money  is  still  coming  in.  So  we 
expect  more  before  everyone  has 
fulfilled  his  obligations  and  taken 
advantage  of  the  opportunity  of 
contributing  to  this  structure. 

President  Paul  E.  Warnick,  who 
was  executive  secretary  of  our  Oak- 
land committee,  was  the  chairman 
of  the  finance  committee.  He  is 
with  us  this  morning,  and  much  of 
the  credit  for  the  success  of  our 
financial  drive  goes  to  President 
Warnick. 

Our  people  responded  wonder- 
fully. The  San  Jose  Stake  raised  all 
the  money  in  one  day.  They  sent 
the  priesthood  out,  and  they  raised 
either  the  money  or  the  pledges  in 
just  one  day.  And  then  the  Gridley 
Stake  was  the  first  to  go  over  the 
top;  they  have  gone  substantially 
over  the  top  in  their  allocation. 

President  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 
visited  us  on  May  25,  1962,  accom- 
panied by  Elder  Richard  L.  Evans 
for  the  laying  of  the  cornerstone. 
Again  it  was  a  glorious  meeting. 
Our  people  turned  out  in  great 
numbers.  This  morning,  as  you 
know,  this  service  is  being  broad- 
cast to  our  interstake  center  and 
ward  buildings.  We  believe,  with 
those  who  are  in  the  temple  this 
morning  and  those  who  are  in  the 
interstake  center,  that  we  have  be- 
tween five  and  six  thousand  people 
present  at  this  service.  I  believe  it 
is  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
the  Church  that  the  dedication  of 
a  temple  has  been  televised  to 
adjacent  buildings. 

In  June  of  this  year  with  the 
approval  of  the  First  Presidency,  we 
were  permitted  to  invite  thirteen 
additional  stakes  in  the  Northwest 
to  come  into  our  temple  district, 
from  Willamette  on  the  south  to 
Seattle  on  the  north,  so  that  we  now 
have  forty  stakes  of  Zion  in  the 
temple  district  and  an  estimated 
185,000  members.  The  territory  is 


from  Seattle  to  Fresno  on  the  south 
and  Reno  on  the  east. 

We've  been  grateful  for  our  asso- 
ciation with  President  Hugh  B. 
Brown,  Elder  Howard  W.  Hunter, 
and  Elder  EIRay  L.  Christiansen, 
who  were  assigned  by  the  First 
Presidency  to  work  with  us  on  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  public  preview 
and  preparation  for  the  dedicatory 
services.  These  brethren  have 
visited  us  often  and  rendered  coun- 
sel and  advice  that  have  been  most 
valuable  to  us  in  making  our  plans. 
I  would  feel  that  I  was  remiss  this 
morning  if  I  didn't  express  our 
great  appreciation  to  the  architect, 
Brother  Harold  W.  Burton,  who  is 
here  with  us  this  morning.  It  is 
through  his  vision,  his  wonderful 
ability,  and  his  tenacity  that  we 
have  the  most  beautiful  site  in  all 
the  world.  He's  lived  with  it  from 
the  start;  he  held  out  for  only  the 
best  when  some  of  the  rest  of  us 
wanted  to  settle  for  a  little  less,  and 
I  will  always  be  thankful  to  him.  I 
love  him,  he  is  a  man  who  has 
worked  diligently,  and  we  do  ex- 
press appreciation  to  him.  And  to 
Brother  Arthur  Price,  who  came  out 
and  represented  the  building  com- 
mittee, we  love  him.  He's  here  this 
morning.  He  says  he's  not  quite  as 
old  as  President  McKay;  he's  three 
months  younger.  He  was  from  the 
bottom  to  the  top  of  this  temple 
every  day  during  the  time  it  was 
being  constructed  to  inspect  every- 
thing that  went  into  this  building. 

And  then  to  our  builders.  Brother 
Jack  Wheatley  represented  the  con- 
tractors on  this  job,  and  he  was 
outstanding.  He's  a  loyal,  faithful 
Latter-day  Saint  with  a  strong 
testimony  of  the  gospel.  And  he  has 
two  fine  assistants,  Brother  Bob 
Loder,  Brother  Chick  Faulkner, 
who  I  am  sure  are  in  some  of  these 
buildings  today. 

You  know  we  found  ourselves 
rolling  out  the  grass  at  2  am  on  the 
morning  we  opened  for  the  public 
preview,  so  you  can  tell  what  a 
tight  schedule  we  had.  We  weren't 
completely  ready,  but  we  were 
presentable,  and  the  people  started 
to  line  up.  We  had  thousands  come 
each  day.  One  day  we  had  twenty- 
four  thousand.  During  the  entire 
month  we  had  in  excess  of  347,000 
visitors.  President  Wright  men- 
tioned they  were  reverent  on  the 
property.  No  incidents  happened 
that     were     unfavorable     to     the 


temple.  During  that  time  we  sold 
100,000  copies  of  the  special  issue 
of  The  Improvement  Era  dealing 
with  the  temples  in  the  Church. 
Forty-three  hundred  copies  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon  were  purchased. 
Some  of  them  were  purchased  by 
Catholic  nuns  who  visited  the 
temple.  We  sold  two  thousand 
copies  of  the  Mormon  Story,  and 
over  400,000  tracts  were  distributed. 

I  checked  many  times  with  the 
people  who  were  at  the  head  of 
the  line  and  asked  them  how  long 
they  had  been  waiting.  An  hour 
and  a  half  to  two  and  a  half  hours 
the  crowd  had  been  waiting  to  get 
up  to  the  line  where  they  could 
start  the  tour  of  the  temple,  and 
yet  they  were  orderly  and  happy. 
We  had  beautiful  Salt  Lake  Taber- 
nacle Choir  music  playing  on  the 
grounds,  and  the  people  seemed  to 
enjoy  just  being  on  the  temple 
grounds. 

Now  we  give  appreciation  to  the 
First  Presidency— to  all  the  General 
Authorities— for  approving  every- 
thing that  we  asked  for  to  beautify 
the  temple  and  the  grounds. 

Irving  Stone  said,  "Give  me  men 
to  match  these  mountains."  And  if 
you  pardon  it,  another  Stone  now 
says,  "Give  us  members  to  match 
the  beauty  and  sturdiness  of  these 
buildings  and  the  grounds." 

The  eyes  of  the  public  are  on  us. 
We've  created  a  wonderful  image 
during  this  public  preview.  Much 
is  expected  of  us.  People  are  now 
looking  at  us  to  see  whether  we 
are  living  the  gospel  as  we  preach 
it.  It's  a  great  opportunity  for  every 
one  of  us  to  carry  out  President 
McKay's  wishes,  "Every  member  a 
missionary,"  first  by  living  the  gos- 
pel and  second  by  sharing  it  with 
others. 

I  feel  sure  the  Lord  is  pleased 
with  this  beautiful  temple.  You  will 
recall  he  told  Moses,  "For  behold, 
this  is  my  work  and  my  glory— to 
bring  to  pass  the  immortality  and 
eternal  life  of  man."  (Moses  1:39.) 
In  building  this  temple  I  feel  we 
are  helping  our  Heavenly  Father 
to  fulfil  this  scripture.  However, 
let  us  not  forget  it  is  more  difficult 
to  make  proper  use  of  the  temple 
and  other  church  buildings  than  it 
is  to  build  them.  Our  next  step  is 
to  fulfil  our  responsibilities  in  doing 
our  genealogy  work  and  our  ordin- 
ance work  in  the  temple. 

We're  thrilled  with  the  appoint- 


no 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


merit  of  President  Wright.  He's 
loved  by  all  the  people  in  this  area. 
He  has  been  a  stake  president  for 
many  years  and  was  a  counselor  in 
the  stake  presidency  previous  to 
that  before  he  was  called  to  Minne- 
sota by  his  company.  I  had  a  diffi- 
cult time  in  attempting  to  fill  his 
shoes  in  the  stake  presidency;  We're 
glad  he  has  returned  to  be  temple 
president. 

Now,  in  doing  the  genealogy 
work  it  will  be  a  real  test  of  our 
willingness  to  carry  out  the  wishes 
of  our  Heavenly  Father.  Giving  of 
ourselves,  our  time,  is  more  diffi- 
cult than  giving  money.  We  are 
privileged  through  the  gift  of  free 
agency  from  our  Heavenly  Father 
in  bringing  to  pass  the  immortality 
and  eternal  life  of  man.  The  Lord 
will  force  no  one.  He  has  left  the 
decision  to  us  whether  we  follow 
good  or  evil.  In  Abraham  we  read: 

"And  we  will  prove  them  here- 
with, to  see  if  they  will  do  all  things 
whatsoever  the  Lord  their  God 
shall  command  them; 

"And  they  who  keep  their  first 
estate  shall  be  added  upon;  and 
they  who  keep  not  their  first  estate 
shall  not  have  glory  in  the  same 
kingdom  with  those  who  keep  their 
first  estate;  and  they  who  keep 
their  second  estate  shall  have  glory 
added  upon  their  heads  for  ever 
and  ever."  (Abraham  3:25-26.) 

The  Lord  has  provided  us  with 
this  beautiful  plan  of  salvation  for 
all  his  children,  and  we  as  Latter- 
day  Saints  are  blessed  with  the 
knowledge  of  this  plan.  We  know 
that  we  come  to  earth  to  obtain  a 
body,  to  gain  experiences,  and  to 
see  if  we  can  remain  true  and 
faithful  to  our  Heavenly  Father  and 
be  sufficiently  diligent  and  obedi- 
ent to  his  commandments  to  be 
worthy  to  return  to  his  presence. 


Today  as  I  contemplate  the  many 
blessings  that  have  been  given  us, 
I  recall  the  words  of  King  Benja- 
min in  the  Book  of  Mormon  who, 
after  enumerating  the  blessings 
which  had  been  poured  down  upon 
his  people  by  the  Lord,  said  this, 
"And  behold,  all  that  he  requires 
df  you  is  to  keep  his  command- 
ments; .  .  ."  (Mosiah  2:22.) 

Yes,  the  only  thing  the  Lord  re- 
quires of  us  is  to  keep  his  com- 
mandments. This  sounds  relatively 
simple,  doesn't  it?  But  it  isn't.  We 
all  know  that  it  isn't  simple,  nor 
was  it  intended  to  be.  Where  much 
is  given  much  is  required,  and 
the  Lord  requires  of  those  who 
dwell  with  him  the  ability  to  over- 
come weaknesses  and  imperfections. 
He  requires  self-denial  and  self- 
discipline.  No,  it  isn't  simple,  but 
the  Lord  has  given  us  certain  sug- 
gestions, instructjdns  and  com- 
mandments to  help  us  accomplish 
our  goal. 

Some  of  us  may  feel  from  time  to 
time  that  some  of  these  command- 
ments are  an  impediment,  to  happi- 
ness in  this  life,  but  this  isn't  so. 
Deep  down  in  our  hearts  we  know 
that  as  long  as  we  adhere  to  these 
commandments,  just  as  surely  as 
night  follows  day,  we  will  reap  the 
blessings  that  are  promised  to  the 
faithful.  The  Lord  has  told  us  that 
he  is  bound  when  we  do  what  he 
says,  but  when  we  do  not  what  he 
says,  we  have  no  promise.  (See 
D&C  82:10.)  Sometimes  the  way 
of  fulfilment  may  not  be  a  path 
to  uSj  but  the  actuality  of  it  is 
assured. 

In  Proverbs  we  find  a  favorite 
scripture  of  Elder  Harold  B.  Lee. 
I  have  heard  him  repeat  it  on 
numerous  occasions,  and  it  has  be- 
come a  favorite  of  mine. 

"Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine 


heart;  and  lean  not  unto  thine  own 
understanding. 

"In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge 
him,  and  he  shall  direct  thy  paths." 
(PrOv.  3:5-6.) 

How  many  of  us  on  judgment 
day  would  like  to  be  told  that  we 
failed  to  do  our  part*  that  we  failed 
to  do  our  genealogy  and  our  ordi- 
nance work  in  the  temple,  that  we 
have  been  unworthy  servants  of 
the  Lord  because  oxir  own  lives 
have  been  poor  examples. 

In  Matthew  the  Lord  has  given 
us  a  very  important  message:  "Let 
your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that 
they  may  see  your  good  works,  and 
glorify  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven."  (Matt.  5:16,) 

In  1  Corinthians  we  read,  "Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nei- 
ther have  entered  into  the  heart  of 
man,  the  things  which  God  hath 
prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 
(1  Cor.  2:9.) 

And  in  Matthew,  again  we  find 
this  statement,  "Not  every  one  that 
saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 
but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my 
Father  which  is  in  heaven."  ( Matt. 
7:21.) 

And  finally,  there  is  the  great 
promise  given  to  us  by  our  Savior, 
"And,  if  you  keep  my  command- 
ments and  endure  to  the  end  you 
shall  have  eternal  life,  which  gift 
is  the  greatest  of  all  the  gifts  of 
God."  (D&C  14:7.) 

May  we  be  diligent  in  taking  care 
of  and  making  proper  use  of  these 
beautiful  buildings  that  are  ours. 
May  we  keep  the  commandments 
of  the  Lord  and  thus  be  eligible 
to  secure  his  blessings  in  this  life 
and  gain  exaltation  in  the  celestial 
kingdom  is  my  humble  prayer,  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


SAVIORS 
ON  MOUNT  ZION 

BY  PRESIDENT  JOSEPH   FIELDING  SMITH 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 

•  My  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  where  the  members  of  the  Church  Heavenly    Father,    but    they    will 

my  heart  has  been  touched.  This  who  love  the  truth,  who  abide  in  it,  come  into  this  building  to  perform 

is  a  solemn  occasion.  This  is  a  house  may  come  to  worship— not  only  to  a  great  labor:  first,  to  themselves, 

of  the  Lord,  the  holiest  spot,  a  place  pour  out  their  own  souls  to  our  the  benefit  that  will  endure  forever, 


FEBRUARY   I9S5 


lit 


but  likewise  to  perform  labor  for 
those  who  are  honest  and  sincere 
who  have  gone  beyond— those  who 
were  unfortunate  when  they  lived 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth  when  the 
truth  of  the  gospel  and  its  ordi- 
nances could  not  be  found.  Through 
many  generations  of  time  men 
walked  in  darkness,  and  Satan  ap- 
parently had  the  upper  hand;  and 
yet  upon  the  face  of  earth  there 
were  many  who  were  honest  and 
true  and  faithful  to  the  best  of  their 
understanding. 

The  light  of  the  gospel  was  not 
here,  and  yetwe  have  ancestors,  all 
of  us,  who  were  honest,  sincere, 
worthy,  who  did  the  best  they  knew 
in  the  age  of  spiritual  darkness,  led 
astray  by  Satan  who  found  a  place 
in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men. 
And  the  light  of  truth,  the  light  of 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  had  gone 
out.  And  so  our  fathers  and  our 
mothers  in  times  past  were  forced 
to  walk  in  spiritual  darkness.  The 
Lord  has  not  forgotten  them,  and 
many  of  them  are  just  as  devout 
and  sincere  with  the  little  knowl- 


edge and  understanding  that  they 
had  as  we  are.  The  Lord  has  not 
forgotten  them,  and  so  in  the  Dis- 
pensation of  the  Fulness  of  Times, 
we,  their  offspring,  are  blessed 
with  the  great  privilege  of  perform- 
ing the  sacred  ordinances  in  holy 
places  for  our  fathers  and  our  moth- 
ers of  the  various  generations  when 
spiritual  darkness  reigned  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth.  The  Lord  has 
not  forgotten  them,  and  many  of 
them  are  just  as  devout  and  sincere 
in  what  they  did  and  the  way  they 
lived  as  perhaps  we  are. 

Today  we  have  a  responsibility 
placed  upon  us.  We  owe  a  debt  to 
those  who  have  gone  on  before. 
That  debt  we  must  pay.  Therefore 
we  shall  be  grateful  unto  our 
Heavenly  Father  for  the  privileges 
which  are  ours  to  come  into  a  holy 
place  and  vicariously  do  for  them 
that  which  they  could  not  do  for 
themselves,  that  they  might  go  on 
to  the  exaltation,  to  the  fulness  in 
the  kingdom  of  our  Father.  We 
have  a  mission  to  perform  that  is 
great   as   saviors   on   Mount  Zion, 


saviors  in  the  temples  of  the  Lord. 
We  must  do  the  work  for  those  who 
have  gone  on  for  these  many  years 
and  who  have  been  looking  for- 
ward, no  doubt,  for  the  time  to 
come  when  the  light  of  truth  and 
the  ordinances  of  exaltation  might 
be  given  unto  them,  although  they 
come  to  them  by  proxy. 

How  grateful  we  ought  to  be  for 
these  temples  of  the  Lord— holy 
places.  No  unclean  thing  should  be 
permitted  to  enter  into  this  build- 
ing; and  when  we  can  move  through 
the  doors,  we  should  come  in  the 
spirit  of  faith,  humility,  and  deter- 
mination, not  only  to  benefit  our- 
selves, but  also  to  bless  and  present 
the  blessings  of  exaltation  to  our 
loved  ones  who  have  gone  on  be- 
fore. Brethren  and  sisters,  make  use 
of  your  time.  Come  to  this  holy 
place,  but  come  worthy  to  perform 
the  labors  that  are  essential  for 
exaltation,  not  just  for  yourselves, 
but  for  those  who  have  gone  on 
before.  They're  waiting  for  us  to 
act.  I  bless  you  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


THE  WAY 

OF  THE  LORD 

HAS  COME 

HENRY   D.    TAYLOR 

ASSISTANT    TO    THE    COUNCIL    OF    THE    TWELVE 


•  Brethren  and  sisters,  I  would  like 
to  join  the  chorus  in  that  beautiful 
song  they  have  just  sung,  "I  Know 
That  My  Redeemer  Lives,"  for  I, 
too,  do  know  and  bear  witness  that 
my  Redeemer  lives. 

Temple  dedications  are  solemn 
and  thrilling  occasions.  This  morn- 
ing our  hearts  were  lifted— we  were 
thrilled  as  President  David  O. 
McKay  dedicated  this  house  of  the 
Lord. 

As  President  O.  Leslie  Stone  was 
giving  a  report  of  the  activities  in 
connection  with  raising  money  for 
the  temple,  the  construction  of  this 
building,  and  other  activities  that 
have  taken  place,  I  thought,  Well, 
that's  the  way  it  has  always  been  in 
the  Church  from  its  very  beginning. 

When  the  word  of  the  Lord  has 
come    that    a    house    of    worship 


should  be  erected,  regardless  of  the 
financial  condition  of  the  people, 
they  have  responded  to  that  call 
without  hesitation;  they  have  gone 
ahead  and  raised  the  money,  and 
the  buildings  have  been  con- 
structed. 

Temple  building  is  an  activity 
of  the  Church  that  has  existed  from 
the  beginning  of  this  dispensation. 
The  Saints  at  Kirtland,  then  in  the 
depths  of  poverty,  responded  when 
the  word  of  the  Lord  came.  With- 
out hesitation  they  built  that 
temple.  Later,  after  they  were 
driven  out  of  Kirtland  to  other  parts 
of  the  country,  when  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  for  a  temple  in 
Nauvoo,  without  hesitation  they 
proceeded  to  build  it.  We  know  the 
story. 

Once  again  they  were  driven  out 


into  the  vast  wilderness,  across  the 
plains,  and  into  the  Salt  Lake  Val- 
ley. Within  just  four  days  after  the 
pioneers  arrived  in  the  valley,  the 
Prophet  Brigham  Young  announced 
that  a  temple  was  to  be  built  to  the 
Lord.  He  had  seen  the  temple  in 
vision,  and  there  was  no  question 
in  his  mind  as  to  what  it  would  look 
like. 

The  Salt  Lake  Temple  was  com- 
menced in  April  1853,  less  than 
six  years  after  the  Saints  arrived  in 
the  valley.  There  were  many  inter- 
ruptions; the  builders  were  slowed 
by  the  crude  tools  they  had  to  use, 
the  arrival  of  Johnston's  Army,  and 
the  construction  of  the  railroad, 
which  employed  many  men.  But 
they  pursued  the  work  as  fast  as 
they  could  with  the  means  they 
had,  and  thirty-nine  years  after  con- 


112 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


struction  commenced,  the  time 
came  for  the  laying  of  the  capstone 
on  the  temple.  This  was  done  in 
connection  with  the  general  con- 
ference of  April  6,  1892. 

The  laying  of  the  capstone  was  a 
great  event  for  the  Saints.  On  Tem- 
ple Square  a  speakers'  stand  was 
erected,  and  the  Saints  assembled. 
The  account  says  forty  thousand 
members  of  the  Church  and  their 
friends  assembled  on  Temple 
Square  and  the  surrounding  area, 
probably  the  largest  assemblage  of 
people  in  the  state.  It  was  a  won- 
derful occasion.  On  completion  of 
the  laying  of  the  capstone,  one  of 
the  Church  Authorities  made  the 
motion  that  the  Saints  should  at- 
tempt to  complete  the  building  and 
have  it  ready  for  dedication  one 
year  later.  This  seemed  a  tre- 
mendous undertaking  because  there 
was  much  to  be  done  and  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  money  to  raise. 
The  Church  Authorities  also  felt  it 
wise  to  select  a  person  to  superin- 
tend the  construction.  John  R. 
Winder,  Second  Counselor  in  the 
Presiding  Bishopric,  and  who  later 
served  in  the  First  Presidency,  was 
named  general  superintendent  of 
construction. 

The  Saints  responded  willingly 
to  the  challenge,  and  the  year  was 
almost  up  when  the  First  Presi- 
dency sent  out  an  epistle  to  the 
Saints  suggesting  that  they  pre- 
pare themselves  for  the  dedication. 
In  this  letter  they  expressed  their 
gratitude  for  the  devotion  of  the 
people  and  suggested  that  if  the 
people  would  cleanse  their  hearts, 
they  would  be  prepared.  The 
Saints'  hearts  should  be  filled  with 
love  and  charity  for  one  another; 
they  should  be  at  peace  with  each 
other  and  .with  God.  They  warned 
that  sin  unrepented  still  casts  its 
odor  about  the  sinner.  They  also 


said  that  bitterness  and  unforgiving 
coolness  still  existed  in  the  hearts 
of  many.  There  had  just  concluded 
an  intense  eighteen-month  long 
political  campaign  which  had  en- 
gendered much  friction  and  hate. 
The  brethren  mentioned  this  in 
their  epistle  and  said,  "We  feel  now 
that  a  time  for  reconciliation  has 
come;  that  before  entering  into  the 
Temple  to  present  ourselves  before 
the  Lord  in  solemn  assembly,  we 
shall  divest  ourselves  of  every 
harsh  and  unkind  feeling  against 
each  other,  .  .  . 

"If  there  is  a  single  member  of 
the  Church  who  has  feelings 
against  us,  we  do  not  wish  to  cross 
the  threshold  of  the  Temple  until 
we  have  satisfied  him  and  have 
removed  from  him  all  cause  of  feel- 
ing, either  by  explanation  or  by 
making  proper  amends  and  atone- 
ment; .  .  ."  (James  E.  Talmage,  The 
House  of  the  Lord,  p.  157. )  They 
desired  all  officers  of  the  Church 
to  follow  their  example. 

Well,  the  results  were  wonder- 
ful. Again,  the  account  states 
that  "Throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  Zion  there  was  a  general 
cleansing  of  mind  and  soul;  enmity 
was  buried;  bickering  ceased;  dif- 
ferences between  brethren  were 
adjusted;  offenses  were  atoned  and 
forgiven;  a  veritable  jubilee  was 
celebrated."  (Ibid.,  p.  158.)  The 
building  was  completed  and  on 
April  6,  1893  was  dedicated  by 
President  Wilford  Woodruff. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  I  am  con- 
fident that  all  who  have  come  to 
the  temple  and  will  come  to  the 
temple  for  these  dedication  services 
have  prepared  themselves  in  their 
hearts,  because  when  we  come  to 
the  house  of  the  Lord  we  should 
come  with  such  a  feeling.  It  would 
be  my  prayer  that  as  we  enter  the 


house  of  the  Lord  that  there  may 
be  a  feeling  of  love  and  kindness 
and  charity,  one  toward  another. 
If  there  is  any  place  in  the  world 
where  the  warm  feelings  of  rever- 
ence, love,  and  kindness  should 
exist,  it  should  be  here  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord. 

I  also  would  pray  that  you  good 
people  in  this  area  will  come  to  the 
temple  often  and,  as  you  come  to 
work  for  your  kindred  dead,  that 
you  will  personalize  the  endow- 
ment ceremony  and  recall  to  your 
minds  the  time  when  you  received 
your  endowments  and  all  the  bless- 
ings that  were  promised. 

This  temple  has  been  built  on  a 
beautiful  site.  Here  on  the  side  of 
a  hill,  it  is  visible  from  all  over  the 
area,  from  out  at  sea,  as  you  cross 
the  bay  bridges,  and  as  you  come 
along  the  freeway.  Surely  it  is  like 
a  city  that  is  set  on  a  hill  that  can- 
not be  hid.  (See  Matt.  5:14.)  I 
think  the  same  thing  is  true  of  us, 
brethren  and  sisters.  If  we  remem- 
ber the  covenants  we  have  made  in 
this  house  and  other  houses  of  the 
Lord  that  have  been  dedicated  and 
are  true  to  those  covenants,  we  too 
may  become  beacons  on  a  hill,  for 
our  lives  cannot  easily  be  hid. 

I  am  grateful  to  be  here  today. 
We  are  so  grateful  to  have  Presi- 
dent and  Sister  McKay.  I  am  sure 
the  President  has  been  blessed. 

I  bear  witness,  brethren  and 
sisters,  that  God  lives,  that  the  gos- 
pel is  true.  I  am  grateful  to  live  in 
a  day  and  age  of  the  world  when 
the  gospel  has  been  restored  and  is 
upon  the  earth  in  its  fulness  and 
we  have  all  the  blessings  that  come 
to  us,  all  the  promises  that  come 
through  having  temples.  I  bear  this 
witness  and  pray  for  our  Heavenly 
Father's  blessings  to  be  with  us,  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


"  THE  DAWNING  OF  A 
BRIGHTER  DAY" 


GORDON    B.    HINCKLEY 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 


•  My  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  lives,  and  I  know  that  he,  watching  the    Swiss    Temple    where    there 

with    you    my    heart    has    been  over  Israel,  slumbers  not  nor  sleeps,  gathered  the  Saints  from  over  Eu- 

touched  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Mine  has  been  the  privilege  of  rope,  in  London  where  came  the 

this  day.  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  participating  in  the  dedication  of  people  of  the  British  Isles,  in  New 


FEBRUARY   106S 


113 


Zealand  where  assembled  the 
the  Saints  of  the  Pacific,  and  in 
Los  Angeles  where  gathered  thou- 
sands from  across  this  nation.  I 
have  known  the  inspiration  of  these 
marvelous  occasions.  I  felt  this 
morning  that  same  inspiration  and 
also  that  we  witnessed  a  miracle  as 
the  mantle  of  the  prophet  rested  so 
unmistakably  upon  him  who  has 
been  ordained  to  lead  us.  I  am 
satisfied  that  our  Father  in  heaven 
buoyed  up  and  directed  and  in- 
spired our  President,  our  leader, 
and  our  prophet. 

I  was  touched  as  the  choir  sang 
this  morning  that  great  hymn  of  the 
restoration: 
"The  morning  breaks;  the  shadows 

flee, 
Lo,  Zion's  standard  is  unfurled! 
The  dawning  of  a  brighter  day 
Majestic  rises  on  the  world." 

-Parley  P.  Pratt,  Hymns,  269. 

I  believe  these  words  with  all  my 
heart.  I  believe  that  the  dedication 
of  this  sacred  house  bespeaks  the 
dawning  of  a  brighter  day  upon  the 
people  of  the  world  as  well  as  upon 
those  in  the  prison  house. 

Somehow  this  magnificent  struc- 
ture, which  looks  out  across  the 
Pacific  toward  the  gentile  nations 
of  Asia,  seems  to  indicate  to  me  a 
brighter  day  for  the  people  of 
those  ancient  lands. 

I  was  in  the  Hawaii  Temple 
yesterday  working  on  preparation 
of  the  temple  ceremony  in  the 
Japanese  language,  and  tomorrow 
I  shall  be  in  Japan  to  assist  in  the 
anticipation  of  the  day  next  sum- 
mer when  some  of  the  Japanese 


Saints  for  the  first  time  shall  come 
to  the  Lord's  house  to  receive  their 
endowments,  to  be  sealed  as  fami- 
lies, and  to  do  work  for  their  dead, 
in  their  own  language. 

Last  night  as  we  looked  at  this 
magnificent  building,  there  came 
to  my  mind  the  struggle  of  those 
who  have  gone  before  us.  I  thought 
of  the  building  of  the  Kirtland 
Temple,  when,  as  Mother  Smith 
recorded,  the  brethren  slept  on 
the  floor  in  old  ragged  quilts  and 
consecrated  their  time  and  their 
means  to  the  construction  of  that 
sacred  house.; There  also  came  to 
my  mind,  as  we  looked  at  this 
magnificent  building  last  night, 
these  words  from  the  prayer  of 
dedication  uttered  at  the  Kirtland 
Temple: 

"Remember.  .  .  ,  O  Lord,  .  .  . 
that  the  kingdom,  which  thou  hast 
set  up  without  hands,  may  become 
a  great  mountain  and  fill  the  whole 
earth; 

"That  thy  church  may  come  forth 
out  of  the  wilderness  of  darkness, 
and  shine  forth  fair  as  the  moon, 
clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners; 

"And  be  adorned  as  a  bride  for 
that  day  when  thou  shalt  unveil  the 
heavens,  .  .  .  that  thy  glory  may 
fill  the  earth."  (D&C  109:72-74.) 

We  are  witnessing  the  day  of  the 
fulfillment  of  that  prayer.  Three 
hundred  and  forty-five  thousand 
people  have  been  through  this 
sacred  house  prior  to  today.  Think 
of  the  compliments,  the  reverent 
compliments,  that  have  come  and 
the  reverent  compliments  that  will 


continue  to  come  in  the  years  that 
lie  ahead. 

I  talked  to  a  stewardess  on  the 
plane  yesterday  who  said,  "I  have 
been  to  your  temple  in  Oakland, 
and  I  experienced  a  feeling  there 
that  I  have  never  felt  before.  I  want 
to  come  and  learn  more." 

I  want  to  say  that  this  temple 
is  not  only  a  thing  of  beauty  and 
a  joy  to  those  who  see  it.  It  is  a 
living  expression  of  a  testimony 
that  God  our  Eternal  Father  lives, 
the  ruler  of  the  universe;  that  Jesus 
is  the  Christ,  the  Savior  and  Re- 
deemer of  the  world,  the  only  name 
given  among  men  whereby  we 
must  be  saved;  that  Joseph  Smith 
was  a  prophet  who  was  fore- 
ordained to  this  dispensation, 
spoken  to  by  God  the  Father  and 
the  Resurrected  Lord;  that  an  angel 
has  flown  through  the  midst  of 
heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gos- 
pel to  preach  to  them  that  dwell 
upon  the  earth  and  to  every  nation 
and  kindred  and  tongue  and  people; 
that  a  veritable  "cloud  of  wtinesses" 
has  come  to  earth  with  keys  and 
authority— John  the  Baptist,  Peter, 
James,  and  John,  Moses,  Elias,  and 
Elijah;  that  life  is  eternal,  that 
love  is  eternal,  that  the  family  may 
be  eternal;  that  we  are  our  Father's 
children  to  whom  he  has  offered 
that  which  he  would  have  us  have 
for" our  blessing,  our  happiness,  our 
salvation,  and  our  exaltation.  Of 
these  things  I  testify  before  you  this 
day  in  gratitude  and  appreciation 
in  the  name  of  him  whom  we  serve, 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


THE 
SECOND 
COMING 

PRESIDENT    HUGH    B.    BROWN 

FIRST    COUNSELOR    IN    THE    FIRST    PRESIDENCY 

•  This   is   a  solemn,   sacred,   and  monies  may  be  performed  pertain-  Lord  and,  in  common  with  other 

momentous  hour,  when  we  meet  to  ing  to  salvation  and  exaltation  in  similar  structures,  is  a  place  where 

dedicate  a  holy  sanctuary  wherein  the  kingdom  of  God.  the  Lord  may  dwell  ancl  his  Spirit 

sacred  ordinances,  rites,  and  cere-         This  is  verily  the  house  of  the  may  be  manifested,  where  his  mes- 


114 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


sengers  may  confer  the  priesthood 
and  keys  and  receive  revelations  for 
the  Church. 

Whenever  the  Lord  has  had  a 
people  on  the  earth,  temples  and 
temple  ordinances  have  been  the 
crowning  feature  of  their  worship. 
His  people  are  always  commanded 
to  build  temples  for  the  glory, 
honor,  and  endowment  of  the 
Saints.  They  are  usually  eostiy  and 
elaborate,  consistent  with  the  abili- 
ties and  the  devotion  of  the  people 
who  build  them. 

Here  and  in  succeeding  dedica- 
tory services  and  later  in  ordinance 
sessions,  we  shall  have  the  oppor- 
tunity under  the  most  favorable 
physical  and  spiritual  surroundings 
to  reappraise  our  concepts,  to  re- 
examine the  basis  of  our  faith,  and 
to  rededicate  our  lives  to  the  work 
of  establishing  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Here  we  may  ponder  the  mean- 
ing, purpose,  and  destiny  of  life 
and  endeavor  progressively  to  bring 
our  lives  into  harmony  with  the 
laws  of  our  existence,  which  are 
the  laws  of  God.  Here  we  are  re- 
minded that  this  life  is  but  pre- 
parative to  continuing  life— in  a 
spiritual  sense  it  is  a  prenatal  exist- 
ence preparatory  to  birth  into  a 
celestialized  realm  of  eternally  be- 
coming, unfolding,  progressing  into 
something  ever  more  about  to  be. 

Parley  P.  Pratt,  an  Apostle  of  this 
dispensation,  wrote  some  profound 
and  inspiring  thoughts  on  what  he 
called  the  science  of  life.  He  said: 

"The  great  science  of  life  consists 
in  the  knowledge  of  ourselves,  the 
laws  of  our  existence,  the  relations 
we  sustain  to  each  other,  to  things 
and  beings  around  us,  to  our  an- 
cestry, to  our  posterity,  to  time,- to 
eternity,  to  our  Heavenly  Father 
and  to  the  universe.  To  under- 
stand these  laws,  and  regulate  our 
actions  by  them,  is  the  whole  duty 
of  intelligences.  It  should  therefore 
comprise  our  whole  study. 

"This  science  comprises  the  foun- 
tain of  wisdom,  the  well-springs  of 
life,  the  boundless  ocean  of  knowl- 
edge, the  infinitude  of  light,  the 
truth,  and  love.  It  penetrates  the 
depths,  soars  to  the  heights,  and 
circumscribes  the  broad  expanse  of 
eternity. 

"Its  pursuit  leads  to  exaltation, 
glory,  immortality  and  to  an  eter- 
nity of  life,  light,  purity  and  unity 
of  fellowship  with  kindred  spirits. 

".  .  .  remember  that  this  present 


probation  is  the  world  of  prepara-  the  midst  of  his  people.  He  it  was 

tion  for  joys  eternal.  This  is  the  who  in  the  presence  of  his  disciples, 

place  where  family  organization  is  ".  .  .  while  they  beheld,  .  .  .  was 

first  formed  for  eternity,  and  where  taken  up;  and  a  cloud  received  him 

the  kindred   sympathies,   relation-  out  of  their  sight, 

ships    and    affections    take    root,  "And   while    they   looked   sted- 

spring  forth,  shoot  upward,  bud,  fastly  toward  heaven  as  he  went  up, 

blossom  and  bear  fruit  to  ripen  and  behold,  two  men  stood  by  them  in 

mature  in  eternal  ages.  white  apparel; 

"Here,  in  the  holy  temples  and  "Which   also   said,   Ye   men   of 

sanctuaries  of  our  God,  must  the  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  gazing  up 

everlasting  covenants  be  revealed,  into  heaven?  this  same  Jesus,  which 

ratified,  sealed,  bound  and  recorded  is  taken  up  from  you  into  heaven, 

in  the  holy  records,  and  guarded  shall  so  come  in  like  manner  as  ye 

and  preserved  in  the  archives  of  have  seen  him   go  into  heaven." 

God's  Kingdom,  by  those  who  hold  (Acts  1:9-11.) 

the  keys  of  eternal  apostleship,  who  When  we  speak  of  the  second 

have  power  to  bind  on  earth  that  coming  of  Christ,  we  refer  to  the 

which  shall  be  bound  in  heaven,  same  Personal   Being  who  minis- 

and  to  record  on  earth  that  which  tered  in  mortality  among  men.  His 

shall  be  recorded  in  the  archives  of  second  coming  will  be  in  power 

heaven,  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life."  and  great  glory,  with  the  hosts  of 

(Key  to  the  Science  of  Theology,  heaven  attending.  As  Isaiah  said: 

pp.  159,  162. )  "And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be 

The  central  figure  in  this  fore-  revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see  it 

ordained  plan  is  the  one  who  was  together.  .  .  ."  (Isa.  40:5.) 


chosen  and  ordained  before  the 
foundations  of  the  earth  were  laid, 
who  was  with  God  in  the  begin- 
ning, the  Firstborn  of  all  the  spirit 


The  prophets  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment and  those  of  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon who  lived  and  wrote  before 
the  birth  of  Christ  left  some  ex- 


sons  of  God,  he  who  was  the  chief  plicit  predictions  concerning  his 
executive  of  the  Father,  by  whom  second  advent.  We  find  the  Psalm- 
all  things  were  made— pre-eminent  ist  singing: 

above  all  others  stands  the  Savior  "Our  God  shall  come,  and  shall 

and   Redeemer  of  mankind,   even  not  keep  silence:  afire  shall  devour 

Jesus  Christ  the  Lord.  before  him,  and  it  shall  be  very 

He  was  born  in  Bethlehem  of  the  tempestuous    around   about   him." 

virgin  Mary,  lived  and  ministered  (Psalm  50:3.) 

among  men,  bore  witness  of  his  Isaiah  said,  "Say  to  them  that  are 

Father,  called  and  ordained  Twelve  of  a  fearful  heart,  Be  strong,  fear 

Apostles,  laid  the  foundation  for  the  not:  behold,  your  God  will  come 

establishment  of  his  Church,  was  with  vengeance,  even  God  with  a 

crucified,  and  his  body  lay  in  the  recompence;  he  will  come  and  save 

tomb  three  days.  He  appeared  to  you."  (Isa.  35:4. ) 

his  disciples  as  a  tangible,  living  Again  Isaiah  speaks:  "Behold,  the 

being  of  flesh  and  bones,  which  Lord  God  will  come  with  strong 

they    attested   by    feeling    of   the  hand,  and  his  arm  shall  rule  for 

prints  in  his  hands  and  side,  pur-  him:    behold,  his   reward  is  with 


suant  to  his  invitation  to  ". . .  handle 
me,  and  see;  for  a  spirit  hath  not 
flesh  and  bones,  as  ye  see  me  have." 
(Luke  24:39.) 


him,    and  his   work  before  him." 
(Ibid.,  40:10.) 

As  these  conditions  did  not  at- 
tend the  coming  of  the  Babe  of 


In  our  Articles  of  Faith,  we  de-  Bethlehem,    their   fulfilment  must 

clare   our  belief  that   Christ   will  be  yet  future, 

come  again  and  reign  personally  The  Prophet  Enoch  leaves  a  re- 

upon  the  earth.  The  scriptures  refer  cord  in  the  book  of  Moses  which 

to  two  different  appearances  of  the  is  unequivocal: 

Lord  among  men.  One  came  in  the  "And  the  Lord  said  unto  Enoch: 

Meridian   of  Time   when   he   de-  As  I  live,  even  so  will  I  come  in  the 

scended    below    all     things     and  last  days,  in  the  days  of  wickedness 

worked  out  the  infinite,  universal,  and  vengeance,  to  fulfil  the  oath 

and  eternal  atonement.  The  other  is  which  I  have  made  unto  you  con- 


promised  for  the  last  days,  when, 
having  ascended  above  all  things, 
he  will  return  in  glory  to  reign  in 


cerning    the    children    of    Noah"; 
(Moses  7:60.) 
In    the   21st    chapter    of    Luke, 


FEBRUARY   1965 


115 


verses  7-20,  27  we  read: 

"And  they  asked  him,  saying, 
Master,  but  when  shall  these  things 
be?  and  what  sign  will  there  be 
when  these  things  shall  come  to 
pass? 

"And  he  said,  Take  heed  that  ye 
be  not  deceived:  for  many  shall 
come  in  my  name,  saying,  I  am 
Christ;  and  the  time  draweth  near: 
go  ye  not  therefore  after  them. 

"But  when  ye  shall  hear  of  wars 
and  commotions,  be  not  terrified: 
for  these  things  must  first  come  to 
pass;  but  the  end  is  not  by  and  by. 

"Then  said  he  unto  them,  Nation 
shall  rise  against  nation,  and  king- 
dom against  kingdom: 

"And  great  earthquakes  shall  be 
in  divers  places,  and  famines,  and 
pestilences;  and  fearful  sights  and 
great  signs  shall  there  be  from 
heaven. 

"But  before  all  these,  they  shall 
lay  their  hands  on  you,  and  perse- 
cute you,  delivering  you  up  to  the 
synagogues,  and  into  prisons,  being 
brought  before  kings  and  rulers 
for  my  name's  sake. 

"And  it  shall  turn  to  you  for  a 
testimony. 

"Settle  it  therefore  in  your  hearts, 
not  to  meditate  before  what  ye  shall 
answer: 

"For  I  will  give  you  a  mouth  and 
wisdom,  which  all  your  adversaries 
shall  not  be  able  to  gainsay  nor 
resist. 

"And  ye  shall  be  betrayed  both 
by  parents,  and  brethren,  and  kins- 
folks, and  friends;  and  some  of  you 
shall  they  cause  to  be  put  to  death. 

"And  ye  shall  be  hated  of  all  men 
for  my  name's  sake. 

"But  there  shall  not  an  hair  of 
your  head  perish. 

"In  your  patience  possess  ye  your 
souls. 

"And  when  ye  shall  see  Jerusalem 
compassed  with  armies,  then  know 
that  the  desolation  thereof  is  nigh. 
.  .  .  And  then  shall  they  see  the  Son 
of  man  coming  in  a  cloud  with 
power  and  great  glory." 

And  Matthew  records  him  as  say- 
ing, "And  this  gospel  of  the  king- 
dom shall  be  preached  in  all  the 
world  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations; 
and  then  shall  the  end  come." 
(Matt.  24:14.) 

In  the  Book  of  Mormon  the  Savior 
assured  his  followers  that  he  would 
come  again,  and  according  to  the 
record  he  explained  many  matters, 
".  .  .  even  from  the  beginning  until 


the  time  that  he  should  come  in  his 
glory "  (3Nephi26:3.) 

In  promising  the  three  disciples 
the  desire  of  their  hearts,  which 
was  that  they  might  be  spared  in 
the  flesh  to  continue  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  the  Lord  said,  ".  .  .  ye 
shall  live  to  behold  all  the  doings 
of  the  Father  unto  the  children  of 
men,  even  until  all  things  shall  be 
fulfilled  according  to  the  will  of 
the  Father,  when  I  shall  come  in 
my  glory  with  the  powers  of 
heaven."  (Ibid.,  28:7.) 

Before  the  second  coming,  then, 
certain  signs  and  wonders  are  to 
take  place,  and  these,  sometimes 
known  as  the  signs  of  the  times, 
will  give  those  who  worthily  await 
his  coming  some  assurance  of  the 
approximate  time  of  his  return.  Let 
us  briefly  examine  some  predicted 
events: 

No  man  knoweth  the  day  nor  the 
hour  of  his  return,  not  even  the 
angels  in  heaven  (see  Matt.  24:36), 
but  the  righteous  will  be  able  to 
read  the  signs. 

According  to  the  scriptures,  there 
was  to  be  a  universal  apostasy, 
when  false  Christs  and  false  teach- 
ers would  attempt  to  deceive  the 
unwary,  and,  if  possible,  the  very 
elect.  (See  ibid.,  24:24.)  The 
Apostle  Paul,  writing  to  the  Thes- 
salonians,  said  to  them:  ". . .  for  that 
day  shall  not  come,  except  there 
come  a  falling  away  first,  and  that 
man  of  sin  be  revealed,  the  son  of 
perdition; 

"Who  opposeth  and  exalteth  him- 
self above  all  that  is  called  God, 
or  that  is  worshipped;  so  that  he  as 
God  sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God, 
shewing  himself  that  he  is  God." 
(2Thess.2:3-4.) 

The  scriptures  also  tell  of  the 
restoration  of  all  things  in  the  last 
days,  which  was  referred  to  as  the 
times  of  refreshing,  when  ".  .  .  he 
shall  send  Jesus  Christ,  which  be- 
fore was  preached  unto  you: 

"Whom  the  heaven  must  receive 
until  the  times  of  restitution  of  all 
things,  which  God  hath  spoken  by 
the  mouth  of  all  his  holy  prophets 
since  the  world  began."  (Acts  3: 
20-21. ) 

This  era  of  restoration  was  to  be 
known  as  the  Dispensation  of  the 
Fulness  of  Times,  in  which  the 
Lord  would  gather  together  in  one 
all  things  in  Christ.  (See  Eph. 
1:10.) 

As  part  of  the  restoration  of  all 


things,  the  fulness  of  the  gospel, 
with  the  saving  powers  of  the  Holy 
Priesthood,  was  to  be  returned  to 
earth  shortly  before  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord,  which 
John  beheld  in  his  vision  when  he 
proclaimed  the  flying  of  another 
angel  and  announced  the  hour  of 
his  judgment  had  come.  (See  Rev. 
14:6-7.) 

The  Lord  bore  witness  of  this  as 
is  recorded  in  the  133rd  section  of 
the  Doctrine  and  Covenants: 

"And  now,  verily  saith  the  Lord, 
that  these  things  might  be  known 
among  you,  O  inhabitants  of  the 
earth,  I  have  sent  forth  mine  angel 
flying  through  the  midst  of  heaven, 
having  the  everlasting  gospel,  who 
hath  appeared  unto  some  and  hath 
committed  it  unto  man,  who  shall 
appear  unto  many  that  dwell  on 
the  earth. 

"And  this  gospel  shall  be 
preached  unto  every  nation,  and 
kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people." 
(D&C  133:36-37.) 

We  now  have  about  12,000  mes- 
sengers—many more  to  go.  "And 
the  servants  of  God  shall  go  forth, 
saying  with  a  loud  voice:  Fear  God 
and  give  glory  to  him,  for  the  hour 
of  his  judgment  is  come; 

"And  worship  him  that  made 
heaven,  and  earth,  and  the  sea,  and 
the  fountains  of  waters— 

"Calling  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord  day  and  night,  saying:  O  that 
thou  wouldst  rend  the  heavens, 
that  thou  wouldst  come  down,  that 
the  mountains  might  flow  down  at 
thy  presence."   (Ibid.,  133:38-40.) 

That  the  coming  forth  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon  was  to  be  a  part 
of  the  restoration  is  evidenced  by 
the  writings  of  Isaiah,  Ezekiel,  and 
others,  and  also  by  Book  of  .Mor- 
mon prophets  to  whom  the  Lord 
declared  that  the  coming  forth  of 
this  record  to  the  descendants  of 
the  Nephites  would  be  one  of  the 
great  signs  of  the  fulfilling  of  the 
covenant  in  the  last  days. 

The  Lord  said,  "Behold,  I  will 
send  my  messenger,  and  he  shall 
prepare  the  way  before  me: 
.  .  .  even  the  messenger  of  the  cove- 
nant, whom  ye  delight  in:  behold, 
he  shall  come,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts.  .  .  .  the  Lord,  whom  ye  seek, 
shall  suddenly  come  to  his  tem- 
ple, .  .  ."  (See  Mai.  3:1.) 

When  Elijah  came  to  Joseph 
Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery  on  the 
3rd  of  April,  1836,  in  the  Kirtland 


116 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Temple,  in  fulfilment  of  this  prom- 
ise, that  ancient  prophet  concluded 
the  bestowal  of  the  keys  of  the 
sealing  power  with  this  assurance, 
".  .  .  by  this  ye  may  know  that  the 
great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord 
is  near,  even  at  the  doors."  (D&C 
110:16.) 

Many  revelations  summarize  the 
signs  to  be  noted  before  the  coming 
of  the  Master.  There  will  be  wars, 
commotions,  calamities,  plagues, 
pestilence,  famine,  and  disease  such 
as  have  not  been  known  before, 
wars,  carnage,  bloodshed,  and  des- 
olation which  will  overshadow  any- 
thing of  past  ages. 

Frequent  visits  to  the  temple  will 
encourage  us  to  watch  and  be 
ready  for  his  coming  as  the  day  and 
hour  are  not  known  to  anyone,  but 
they  who  do  watch  and  prepare  for 
that  day  will  be  able  to  read  the 
signs  of  the  times  and  approximate 
the  time  of  the  second  coming.  All 
we  certainly  know  is  that  it  is  133 
years  nearer  than  when  these  reve- 
lations were  given. 

To  the  wicked,  the  second  com- 
ing will  be  a  great  and  dreadful 
day,  a  day  of  sorrow  and  desola- 
tion, of  burning  and  vengeance  and 
judgment. 

For  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  as  the  melting  fire  that 
burneth  and  as  the  fire  which  caus- 
eth  the  waters  to  boil. 

But  to  the  righteous  who  have 
waited  faithfully  and  kept  his  laws, 
the  second  coming  will  be  a  day 
devoutly  to  be  desired,  when  in- 
justice will  cease  and  wickedness 
be  banished. 

The  Lord  will  undoubtedly  make 
many  successive  appearances  in 
various  parts  of  the  earth,  and 
Malachi  asks:  ".  .  .  who  may  abide 
the  day  of  his  coming?  and  who 
shall  stand  when  he  appeareth?  .  .  . 
(Mai.  3:2.) 

While  the  precise  time  of  his 
coming  is  not  known,  he  warns  us 
to  watch  the  developments  of  the 
work  of  God  among  nations  and 
note  the  rapid  fulfilment  of  signifi- 
cant prophecies  by  which  we  may 
perceive  the  evidence  of  the  ap- 
proaching event,  but  the  hour  and 
the  day  no  man  knoweth,  neither 
the  angels  in  heaven,  nor  shall  they 
know  until  he  comes.  (See  Matt. 
24:36.)  His  coming  will  be  a  sur- 
prise to  those  who  have  ignored 
his  warnings  and  have  failed  to 
watch.  To  them  he  will  come  as  a 


thief  in  the  night,  and  he  admon- 
ishes, "Watch  therefore,  for  ye 
know  neither  the  day  nor  the  hour 
wherein  the  Son  of  man  cometh." 
(Ibid.,  25:13.) 

We  note  from  ancient  and  mod- 
ern prophets  he  is  to  come  in  a 
literal  sense  and  manifest  himself 
in  person  in  the  last  days. 

Daniel  interpreted  the  dream  of 
Nebuchadnezzar  and  spoke  of  many 
kingdoms  and  divisions  of  king- 
doms that  were  to  be  established, 
and  then  he  added,  "And  in  the 
days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God 
of  heaven  set  up  a  kingdom,  which 
shall  never  be  destroyed:  and  the 
kingdom  shall  not  be  left  to  other 
people,  but  it  shall  break  in  pieces 
and  consume  all  these  kingdoms, 
and  it  shall  stand  forever."  (Dan, 
2:44.)  And  emphasizing  the  extent 
of  the  kingdom,  he  declared,  "And 
the  kingdom  and  dominion,  and 
greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the 
whole  heaven,  shall  be  given  to  the 
people  of  the  saints  of  the  most 
High,  whose  kingdom  is  an  ever- 
lasting kingdom,  and  all  dominions 
shall  serve  and  obey  him."  (Ibid., 
7:27.) 

When  the  angels  announced  the 
birth  of  the  Savior,  they  said,  "He 
shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob 
for  ever;  and  of  his  kingdom  there 
shall  be  no  end."  ( Luke  1:33. )  John 
on  the  Isle  of  Patmos  saw  the  glori- 
ous consummation  and  the  univer- 
sal recognition  of  the  Eternal  King, 
and  he  said,  "And  the  seventh  angel 
sounded;  and  there  were  great 
voices  in  heaven,  saying,  The  king- 
doms of  this  world  are  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his 
Christ;  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever 
and  ever."  (Rev.  11:15.) 

And  in  our  own  time,  he  has  said 
through  the  Prophet,  "And  also  the 
Lord  shall  have  power  over  his 
saints,  and  shall  reign  in  their 
midst,"  for  in  my  own  due  time  will 
I  come  upon  the  earth  in  judgment, 
when  my  people  shall  be  redeemed 
and  shall  reign  with  me  on  earth. 
(See  D&C  1:36.) 

Now,  in  the  holy  scriptures  we 
read  frequently  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  and  the  kingdom  of  God. 
In  modern  revelations  the  expres- 
sions "kingdom  of  God"  and  "king- 
dom of  heaven"  are  sometimes  used 
with  distinctive  meanings  and 
sometimes  interchangeably.  The 
kingdom  of  God,  however,  has  been 
set  up;  its  beginning  in  the  present 


dispensation  was  the  establishment 
of  the  Church  on  its  latter-day  per- 
manent foundation.  The  powers 
and  authority  committed  to  the 
Church  are  the  keys  of  the  kingdom 
as  is  evidenced  by  the  following 
revelation:  "The  keys  of  the  king- 
dom of  God  are  committed  unto 
man  on  the  earth,  and  from  thence 
shall  the  gospel  roll  forth  unto  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  as  the  stone 
which  is  cut  out  of  the  mountain 
without  hands  shall  roll  forth,  until 
it  has  filled  the  whole  earth.  ... 

"Call  upon  the  Lord,  that  his 
kingdom  may  go  forth  upon  the 
earth,  that  the  inhabitants  thereof 
may  receive  it,  and  be  prepared  for 
the  days  to  come,  in  the  which  the 
Son  of  Man  shall  come  down  in 
heaven,  clothed  in  the  brightness 
of  his  glory,  to  meet  the  kingdom 
of  God  which  is  set  up  on  the  earth. 

"Wherefore,  may  the  kingdom  of 
God  go  forth,  that  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  may  come,  that  thou,  O 
God,  may  est  be  glorified  in  heaven 
so  on  earth,  that  thine  enemies  may 
be  subdued;  for  thine  is  the  honor, 
power  and  glory,  forever  and  ever. 
Amen."  (D&C  65:2,  5-6.) 

Hence  we  pray,  "Thy  kingdom 
come."  (Matt.  6:10.) 

The  question  is  often  asked,  "Is 
the  kingdom  already  set  up  on 
earth  or  are  we  to  wait  for  its 
establishment  until  the  advent  of 
the  Christ,  the  King?"  The  kingdom 
of  God,  as  identical  with  the 
Church,  has  been  established.  Its 
history  is  that  of  the  Church  in 
these  last  days,  whose  officers  are 
divinely  commissioned.  Their  power 
is  that  of  the  Holy  Priesthood;  their 
authority  is  spiritual.  They  make 
no  attempt,  nor  do  they  assert  the 
right,  to  assail,  modify,  or  in  any 
way  interfere  with  existing  govern- 
ments, far  less  to  subdue  nations  or 
set  up  rival  systems  of  control.  The 
kingdom  of  heaven,  including  the 
Church  and  comprising  all  nations'; 
will  be  set  up  with  power  and  great 
glory  when  the  triumphant  King 
comes  with  his  heavenly  hosts  per- 
sonally to  rule  and  reign  on  earth, 
which  he  redeemed  at  the  sacrifice 
of  his  own  life. 

In  connection  with  scriptural 
mention  of  Christ's  reign  on  earth, 
the  duration  of  one  thousand  years 
is  frequently  specified.  While  we 
cannot  regard  this  as  indicating 
a  time  limit  to  the  kingdom's  exist- 
ence or  a  measure  of  the  Savior's 


FEBRUARY   19  65 


117 


administration  and  power,  we  are 
justified  in  the  belief  that  the  thou- 
sand years  immediately  following 
the  establishment  of  the  kingdom 
are  to  be  specifically  characterized 
and  shall  be  different  from  both 
preceding  and  succeeding  times. 
The  gathering  of  Israel  and  the 
establishment  of  an  earthly  king- 
dom are  to  be  effected  preparatory 
to  his  coming.  His  advent  will  be 
marked  by  a  destruction  of  the 
wicked  and  by  the  inauguration  of 
an  era  of  peace. 

It  is  evident,  then,  that  in  speak- 
ing of  the  millennium  we  have  to 
consider  a  definite  period,  with 
important  events  marking  its  be- 
ginning and  its  close,  and  conditions 
of  unusual  blessedness  extending 
throughout.  It  will  be  a  sabbatical 
era,  a  thousand  years  of  peace;  en- 
mity between  man  and  beast  shall 
cease;  the  fierceness  and  venom 
of  the  brute  creation  shall  be  done 
away;  and  love  shall  rule.  The  Lord 
said  to  Isaiah:  "For,  behold,  I  cre- 
ate new  heavens  and  a  new  earth: 
and  the  former  shall  not  be  remem- 
bered, nor  come  into  mind.  .  .  . 

"They  shall  not  labour  in  vain, 
nor  bring  forth  for  trouble;  for  they 
are  the  seed  of  the  blessed  of  the 
Lord,,  and  their  offspring  with 
them.  .  .  . 

"The  wolf  and  the  lamb  shall 
feed  together,  and  the  lion  shall  eat 
straw  like  the  bullock:  and  the  dust 
shall  be  the  serpent's  meat.  They 
shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my 
holy  mountain  saith  the  Lord." 
(Isa.  65:17,23,25.) 

And  in  the  63rd  section  of  the 
Doctrine  and  Covenants,  we  read: 
"Yea,  and  blessed  are  the  dead  that 
die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth, 
when  the  Lord  shall  come,  and  old 
things  shall  pass  away,  and  all 
things  shall  become  new,  they  shall 
rise  from  the  dead  and  shall  not  die 
after,  and  shall  receive  an  inherit- 
ance before  the  Lord  in  the  holy 
city. 

"And  he  that  liveth  when  the 
Lord  shall  come,  and  hath  kept  the 
faith,  blessed  is  he;   nevertheless, 


The  gospel  was  revealed  for  the 
benefit  of  the  world;  it  is  in  the 
interests  of  humanity;  and  it  is  to 
be  proclaimed  to  every  nation, 
kindred,  people,  and  tongue,  by 
men  commissioned  of  God  to  do  so. 
—President  John  Taylor 


it  is  appointed  to  him  to  die  at  the  and  his  final  doom  will  speedily  fol- 

age  of  man.  low,  and  with  him  will  go  to  the 

"Wherefore,  children  shall  grow  punishment  that  is  everlasting  all 

up    until    they   become    old;    old  who  are  his.  Then  the  earth  will 

men  shall  die;  but  they  shall  not  become  a  celestial  kingdom,  a  fit 

sleep  in  the  dust,  but  they  shall  abode  for  the  glorified  sons  and 

be  changed  in  the  twinkling  of  an  daughters  of  God. 

eye."  (D&C  63:49-51.)  "And  there  shall  be  silence  in 

And    every    corruptible    thing,  heaven  for  the  space  of  half  an 


both  of  man  or  of  the  beasts  of  the 
field,  or  of  the  fowls  of  the  heavens 
or  of  the  fish  of  the  sea,  that  dwells 


hour;  and  immediately  after  shall 
the  curtain  of  heaven  be  unfolded, 
as  a  scroll  is  unfolded  after  it  is 


upon  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  shall  rolled  up,  and  the  face  of  the  Lord 

be  consumed;  shall  be  unveiled; 

"And  also  that  of  element  shall  "And  the  saints  that  are  upon  the 
melt  with  fervent  heat;  and  all  earth,  who  are  alive,  shall  be  quick- 
things  shall  become  new,  that  my  ened  and  be  caught  up  to  meet  him. 
knowledge  and  glory  may  dwell  "And  they  who  have  slept  in  their 
upon  all  the  earth.  graves  shall  come  forth,  for  their 

"And  in  that  day  the  enmity  of  graves  shall  be  opened;  and  they 

man,  and  the  enmity  of  beasts,  yea,  also  shall  be  caught  up  to  meet  him 

the  enmity  of  all  flesh,  shall  cease  in  the  midst  of  the  pillar  of  heaven— 

from  before  my  face.  "They  are  Christ's,  the  first  fruits, 

"And  in  that  day  whatsoever  any  they  who  shall  descend  with  him 

man   shall   ask,  it  shall  be   given  first,  and  they  who  are  on  the  earth 

unto  him.  and  in  their  graves,  who  are  first 

"And  in  that  day  Satan  shall  not  caught  up  to  meet  him,  and  all  this 

have  power  to  tempt  any  man.  by  the  voice  of  the  sounding  of 

"And  there  shall  be  no  sorrow  be-  the  trump  of  the  angel  of  God. 


cause  there  is  no  death. 

"In  that  day  an  infant  shall  not 
die  until  he  is  old;  and  his  life  shall 
be  as  the  age  of  a  tree; 

"And  when  he  dies  he  shall  not 


And  after  this  another  angel 
shall  sound,  which  is  the  second 
trump;  and  then  cometh  the  re- 
demption of  those  who  are  Christ's 
at  his  coming;  who  have  received 


sleep,  that  is  to  say  in  the  earth,  their  part  in  that  prison  which  is 

but  shall  be  changed  in  the  twin-  prepared  for  them,  that  they  might 

kling  of  an  eye,  and  shall  be  caught  receive  the  gospel,  and  be  judged 

up,  and  his  rest  shall  be  glorious."  according  to   men    in   the   flesh." 

(Ibid.,  101:24-31.)  (Ibid.,  88:95-99.) 

During   the   millennium   Satan's  "Watch  ye  therefore,  and  pray 

power  will  be  restrained,  and  men,  always,  that  ye  may  be  accounted 

relieved  at  least  in  some   degree  worthy  to  escape  all  these  things 

from  temptation,  will  be  zealous  that   shall  come   to   pass,   and   to 

in  the  service  of  the  reigning  Lord,  stand    before    the    Son    of    man." 

Both  mortal  and  immortal  beings  (Luke  21:36.) 

will  tenant  the  earth,  and  commu-  And  so  from  this  lofty  hill  over- 

nion  with  heavenly  powers  will  be  looking    great     cities     and     from 

common.    During   the   millennium  this  holy  sanctuary  we  renew  the 

the    Latter-day    Saints    believe    it  warning  that  the  second  coming  of 

will  be  their  privilege  to  continue  Messiah  is  at  hand.  We  call  upon 

the  vicarious  work  for  the  dead,  all  men  everywhere  to  prepare  to 


which  constitutes  so  important  a 
part  of  the  restored  gospel.  At  that 
time  facilities  for  direct  communi- 
cation with  the  heavens  will  enable 


meet  him  and  to  enjoy  the  blessings 
of  the  millennium.  And  in  his  words 
we  say,  "Peace  I  leave  with  you, 
my  peace  I  give  unto  you:  not  as 


them  to  carry  on  their  labor  of  love     the  world  giveth,  give  I  unto  you. 


without  hindrance. 

When  the  thousand  years  have 
passed,  Satan  will  again  be  permit- 
ted to  assert  his  power,  and  those 
who  are  not  then  numbered  among 


Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled, 
neither  let  it  be  afraid."  (Tohn  14: 
27.) 

I  pray  that  the  Lord  will  bless 
and   inspire   all   members    of  this 


the  pure  in  heart  will  yield  to  his  temple  district  and  all  of  us  to  be 

influence,  but  the  liberty  thus  re-  true  to  ourselves  and  to  him  and  to 

covered  by  the  prince  of  the  power  prepare  for  his  second  coming,  in 

of  the  air  will  be  of  short  duration,  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


118 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


THE 

HOUSE  OF  THE 

LORD 


•  President  McKay,  President 
Brown,  President  Tanner,  President 
Smith,  and  my  beloved  brothers  and 
sisters  all.  I'm  very  grateful  to  be 
here  this  morning,  honored  to  be 
asked  to  say  a  few  words.  These  two 
great  songs  have  thrilled  me.  I 
don't  know  anything  which  better 
typifies  our  place  in  the  world,  the 
things  we  stand  for,  than,  ".  .  .  For 
he  saw  the  living  God"  and  "The 
Morning  Breaks,  the  Shadows  Flee." 
I  hope  the  Lord  will  let  his  Spirit 
accompany  us  while  I  speak. 

I'm  glad  to  be  here  in  this  house 
because  it  is  not  an  ordinary  house; 
it  is  the  Lord's  house.  We  have 
built  many  tabernacles  for  general 
assemblies.  We  have  built  meeting- 
houses all  over  the  earth  in  which 
to  worship,  but  this  house  is  dif- 
ferent. This  is  a  temple,  which  by 
definition  means  "the  house  of  the 
Lord." 

The  Lord  has  not  always  had 
for  his  temple  or  house  an  edifice 
like  this. 

"The  groves  were  God's  first  temple, 
Ere  man  learned 

To  hue  the  shaft,  and  lay  the  archi- 
trave, 
And  spread  the  roof  above  them, 
Ere  he  framed  the  lofty  vault,  to 

gather  and  roll  back 
The  sound  of  anthems;  in  the  dark- 
ling wood, 
Amidst   the   cool   and   silence,    he 

knelt  down 
And  offered  to  the  Mightiest,  sol- 
emn thanks 
And  supplication." 
—William  Cullen  Bryant,  "A  Forest 
Hymn." 

Jacob,  for  one,  found  God  in  the 
out-of-doors.  As  he  journeyed  to 
Haran  to  seek  a  wife  among  his 
mother's  people,  ".  .  .  he  lighted 
upon  a  certain  place,  and  tarried 
there  all  night,  because  the  sun 
was  set;  and  he  took  of  the  stones 
of  that  place,  and  put  them  for 
his  pillows,  and  lay  down  in  that 
place  to  sleep. 

"And  he  dreamed,  and  behold  a 


MARION    G.    ROMNEY 

OF   THE   COUNCIL.   OF  THE   TWELVE 

ladder  set  up  on  the  earth,  and 
the  top  of  it  reached  to  heaven:  and 
behold  the  angels  of  God  ascending 
and  descending  on  it. 

"And,  behold,  the  Lord  stood 
above  it,  and  said,  I  am  the  Lord 
God  of  Abraham  thy  father,  and 
the  God  of  Isaac:  the  land  whereon 
thou  liest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it,  and 
to  thy  seed; 

"And  thy  seed  shall  be  as  the 
dust  of  the  earth,  and  thou  shalt 
spread  abroad  to  the  west,  and  to 
the  east,  and  to  the  north,  and  to 
the  south;  and  in  thee  and  in  thy 
seed  shall  all  the  families  of  the 
earth  be  blessed.  .  .  . 

"And  Jacob  awaked  out  of  his 
sleep,  and  he  said,  Surely  the  Lord 
is  in  this  place;  and  I  knew  it  not. 
"And  he  was  afraid,  and  said, 
How  dreadful  is  this  place!  this 
is  none  other  but  the  house  of  God, 
and  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven." 
(Gen.  28:11-14,   16-17.) 

You  see,  the  place  where  Jacob 
met  the  Lord  was  to  him  the  house 
of  the  Lord  and  the  gate  of  heaven. 
To  commemorate  the  event, 
Jacob  ".  .  .  took  the  stone  he  had 
put  for  his  pillows,  and  set  it  up 
for  a  pillar,  and  poured  oil  upon 
the  top  of  it. 

"And  he  called  the  name  of  that 
place  Bethel:  .  .  ."  (Ibid.,  28:18- 
19.)  Bethel  is  a  contraction  of  the 
word  "Beth-Elohim"  which  literally 
is  "the  house  of  the  Lord." 

As  he  did  to  Jacob,  so  the  Lord 
in  the  days  of  Israel's  poverty  ap- 
peared to  and  taught  Moses  in  the 
out-of-doors,  first  in  the  burning 
bush  on  Mount  Horeb.  Later,  Sinai 
became  a  temporary  sanctuary  from 
which  he  taught  Moses.  Shortly 
thereafter,  however,  the  Lord  in- 
structed the  Israelites  through 
Moses  to  build  a  "tabernacle  of  the 
congregation"  to  which  he  could 
come  and  make  his  will  known 
unto  them.  From  then  until  now, 
one  of  the  peculiar  practices  of 
God's  people  has  been  the  building 
of  temples.  The  word  "temple"  de- 
notes to  a  Latter-day  Saint  a  struc- 


ture, a  building,  erected  and 
dedicated  to  the  Lord  as  his  house. 
The  purpose  of  a  temple  is  two- 
fold: (1)  to  serve  as  a  dwelling 
place  on  earth  for  the  Lord,  and 
(2)  to  provide  a  place  in  which  the 
ordinances  of  the  priesthood  can 
be  properly  administered  to  the 
Saints  of  God.  In  the  Tabernacle 
built  by  Israel  there  was  an  addi- 
tional facility— a  place  for  a  general 
assembly;  but  the  dwelling  place 
for  the  Lord,  the  Holy  of  Holies, 
no  man  went  into  except  t|ie  high 
priest  of  the  Aaronic  Priesthood. 
He  went  there  to  attend  the  solemn 
ordinances  of  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood. In  the  Holy  of  Holies  was  the 
Ark  of  the  Covenant,  and  on  the 
Ark  of  the  Covenant  was  the  mercy 
seat  from  above  which  the  Lord 
himself  gave  instructions  to  the 
priest. 

David,  the  great  king  of  Israel, 
disturbed  by  the  fact  that  the 
Tabernacle  was  still  serving  as  the 
house  of  God,  while  he  himself 
dwelt  in  a  great  house  built  of 
cedars,  had  it  in  ".  .  .  mind  to  build 
an  house  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord 
[his]  .  .  .  God: 

"But  the  word  of  the  Lord  came 
to  [him]  . , .  saying,  Thou  hast  shed 
blood  abundantly,  and  hast  made 
great  wars:  thou  shalt  not  build 
an  house  unto  my  name,  ..."  (1 
Chron.  22:7-8.) 

David  was,  however,  permitted 
to  gather  materials  which  were 
used  by  his  son  Solomon  in  build- 
ing the  great  temple  which  bore 
his  name.  This  temple  served  the 
children  of  Israel  for  five  hundred 
years.  Later,  other  temples  were 
built— the  Temple  of  Zerubbabel, 
for  exampje,  and  the  Temple  of 
Herod.  The  Savior  himself  honored 
the  Temple  of  Herod  even  though 
it  was  built  by  an  unworthy  man, 
who  did  not  build  to  the  glory  of 
God,  but  in  his  own  interest. 
Herod's  purpose  was  to  placate  the 
Jews  over  whom  he  ruled  as  an 
appointee  of  the  Roman  Empire. 
However,  because  the  Jews  used 


FEBRUARY   1'968 


119 


Herod's  Temple  for  the  perfor- 
mance of  Aaronic  Priesthood  ordi- 
nances, the  Savior  honored  it.  He 
referred  to  it  as  his  Father's  house. 
When  he  saw  the  people  using  it  as 
a  place  of  merchandise,  he  rose  up 
in  righteous  anger  and  drove  out 
the  money  changers. 

With  the  exception  of  the  temple 
referred  to  in  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
we  have  no  record  of  a  temple's 
being  built  between  the  death  of 
Jesus  and  the  restoration  of  the 
gospel  in  these  latter  days. 

The  great  significance  of  tem- 
ples is  indicated  by  the  fact  that, 
before  the  restored  Church  was  a 
year  old,  the  Lord  in  the  revela- 
tions to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith 
began  to  talk  about  temples  to  be 
built  in  this  the  Dispensation  of  the 
Fulness  of  Times. 

In  1831  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith 
and  other  brethren  went  from  Kirt- 
land  to  Jackson  County,  Missouri, 
and  dedicated  the  spot  designated 
by  the  Lord  as  a  temple  site.  Some- 
day we  will  go  back  and  build  the 
temple  there. 

You  know  how  the  early  Saints 
built  the  temple  in  Kirtland  and 
how  they  built  the  Nauvoo  Temple. 
We  have  built,  as  President  McKay 
said,  fifteen  temples  in  these  latter 
days— all  houses  of  God,  in  which 
the  holy  ordinances  of  the  priest- 
hood are  administered  and  places 
from  which  the  Lord  teaches  his 
people. 

Not  all  temples  have  been  pro- 
vided with  facilities  to  administer 
the  ordinances  which  will  be  ad- 
ministered in  this  temple.  Temples 
have  been  built  to  fit  the  need  of 
the  particular  times  in  which  they 
were  built.  In  the  olden  days  the 
ordinances  of  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood were  administered  in  them. 


The  Kirtland  Temple  was  not  built 
for  the  full  endowment,  but  as  a 
place  where  the  keys  of  the  priest- 
hood were  to  be  restored.  On  the 
3rd  of  April,  1836,  the  Sunday  fol- 
lowing the  dedication,  Jesus  himself 
appeared  to  the  Prophet  Joseph  and 
Oliver  Cowdery  as  they  knelt  in 
prayer  in  the  Kirtland  Temple  and 
accepted  the  temple  and  the  labors 
of  those  who  had  built  it.  After  this 
vision  closed,  Moses  appeared  and 
committed  unto  them  the  keys  of  the 
gathering  of  Israel  and  the  restora- 
tion of  the  ten  tribes.  Elias  appeared 
and  committed  the  dispensation  of 
the  gospel  of  Abraham,  ".  .  .  Elijah 
the  prophet,  who  was  taken  to 
heaven  without  tasting  death,  stood 
before  [them]   .   .   .  and  said: 

"Behold,  the  time  has  fully  come, 
which  was  spoken  of  by  the  mouth 
of  Malachi— testifying  that  he  [Eli- 
jah] should  be  sent,  before  the 
great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord 
come— 

"To  turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers 
to  the  children,  and  the  children  to 
the  fathers,  lest  the  whole  earth  be 
smitten  with  a  curse— 

"Therefore,  the  keys  of  this  dis- 
pensation are  committed  into  your 
hands;  and  by  this  ye  may  know 
that  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of 
the  Lord  is  near,  even  at  the  doors." 
(D&C  110:13-16.) 

Since  the  time  Elijah  came  and 
restored  the  keys  for  the  salvation 
of  the  dead,  all  our  temples  have 
been  built  to  perform  the  highest 
ordinances  of  the  Melchizedek 
Priesthood.  To  this  temple  we  will 
come  and  receive  our  ordinances 
and  our  blessings,  blessings  to  be 
had  only  in  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

I  feel  this  morning  that  we  are 
in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  I 
know  that  to  be  in  his  presence  is 


to  be  in  a  most  holy  place.  I  re- 
member that,  as  Moses  approached 
the  burning  bush,  ".  .  .  God  called 
unto  him  out  of  the  midst  of  the 
bush,  and  said,  Moses,  Moses,  .  ,  . 

"Draw  not  nigh  hither:  put  off 
thy  shoes  from  off  thy  feet,  for  the 
place  whereon  thou  standest  is 
holy  ground."  (Exod.  3:4-5.) 

The  awful  solemnity  of  being  in 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  has  been 
further  impressed  upon  my  mind 
by  a  passage  in  the  121st  section 
of  the  Doctrine  and  Covenants, 
written  by  the  Prophet  Joseph 
Smith  while  he  was  in  Liberty  Jail. 
The  passage  to  which  I  refer  is  the 
one  in  which  the  Lord  says,  ".  .  .  let 
virtue  garnish  thy  thoughts  un- 
ceasingly; then  shall  thy  confidence 
wax  strong  in  the  presence  of  God; 
.  .  ."  (D&C  121:45.)     • 

I  have  thought  about  this  state- 
ment, ".  .  .  then  shall  thy  confidence 
wax  strong  in  the  presence  of 
God;  .  .  ,"  many  times.  I've  tried 
to  envision  the  time  when  I  shall 
stand  before  him  to  be  judged  of 
the  deeds  I  have  done  in  the  flesh. 
I  understand  that  when  I  do  I  shall 
have  a  bright  recollection  of  all  my 
iniquities  and  that  they  shall  also  be 
known  by  the  Savior  who  will  be 
my  judge.  I  often  wonder  if  I  shall 
have  confidence  then  as  I  stand 
in  his  presence. 

God  grant  that  we  may  be 
worthy  to  stand  in  his  presence 
when  we  come  here.  To  come  un- 
worthily into  this  temple  and  re- 
ceive our  endowments  will  not 
prove  to  be  a  blessing  to  us.  Every 
soul  when  he  comes  here  should  be 
at  peace  in  his  own  heart;  his  feel- 
ings should  be  at  peace  toward 
every  other  person  in  the  world;  he 
should  have  no  hard  feelings  to- 
ward anyone.  There  should  be  no 
feelings  of  competition,  no  feelings 
of  jealousy,  nothing  but  the  Spirit 
of  the  Living  God  and  love  toward 
our  fellow  men  and  toward  each 
other,  for  here  in  his  house  we 
literally  stand  in  the  presence  of 
the  Lord.  God  grant  that  we  may 
do  so  worthily. 

I  feel  certain  that  the  Lord  will 
accept  this  house,  as  he  accepted 
the  Tabernacle  in  the  wilderness, 
the  Temple  of  Solomon,  the  Kirt- 
land Temple,  the  Salt  Lake  Tem- 
ple, and  other  temples  built  by  the 
sacrifice  of  his  people.  That  it  may 
be  so,  I  humbly  pray  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


120 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


PREPARING 
TO 

MEET 
THE  LORD 


•  I  have  sought  desperately  to  put 
myself  in  tune  with  the  Spirit  that 
should  be  here  io  a  dedicatory  ser- 
vice. I  have  pondered  about  that 
which  I  know  takes  place  in  a 
dedicated  temple— in  other  words, 
what  is  the  significance  of  a  tem- 
ple? I  have  gloried  in  this  review 
of  the  history  of  temples  which 
Elder  Marion  G.  Romney  has  so 
excellently  presented   to  us. 

I  listened  as  intently  as  I  could 
with  my  understanding  to  what  the 
President  has  said,  and  it  seemed 
to  me  that  he  was  repeating  over 
and  over  again  that  which  the 
prophets  from  the  beginning  have 
said  in  their  efforts  to  prepare  their 
people  to  be  worthy  to  receive  the 
blessings  of  the  Lord. 

I  read  from  the  Book  of  Mormon 
from  that  great  address  of  King 
Benjamin  wherein  he  said,  "And 
now,  I  say  unto  you,  my  brethren, 
that  after  ye  have  known  and  have 
been  taught  all  these  things,  if  ye 
should  transgress  and  go  contrary 
to  that  which  has  been  spoken,  that 
ye  do  withdraw  yourselves  from 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  that  it  may 
have  no  place  in  you  to  guide  you 
in  wisdom's  paths  that  ye  may  be 
blessed,  prospered,  and  preserved— 

"I  say  unto  you,  that  the  man 
that  doeth  this,  the  same  cometh 
out  in  open  rebellion  against  God; 
therefore  he  listeth  to  obey  the  evil 
spirit,  and  becometh  an  enemy  to 
all  righteousness;  therefore,  the 
Lord  has  ho  place  in  him,  for  he 
dwelleth  not  in  unholy  temples. 

"Therefore  if  that  man  repenteth 
not,  and  remaineth  and  dieth  an 
enemy  to  God,  the  demands  of  di- 
vine justice  do  awaken  his  immortal 
soul  to  a  lively  sense  of  his  own 
guilt,  which  doth  cause  him  to 
shrink  from   the  presence   of  the 


HAROLD    B.    LEE 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 

Lord,  and  doth  fill  his  breast  with 
guilt,  and  pain,  and  anguish,  which 
is  like  an  unquenchable  fire,  whose 
flame  ascendeth  up  forever  and 
ever. 

"And  now  I  say  unto  you,  that 
mercy  hath  no  claim  on  that  man; 
therefore  his  final  doom  is  to 
endure  a  never-ending  torment." 
(Mosiah  2:36-39.) 

When  I  say  I  have  sought  to  pre- 
pare myself  for  this  occasion,  I 
suppose  I  was  thinking  of  the  very 
thing  that  President  McKay  men- 
tioned. How  it  must  have  im- 
pressed all  of  those  here  with  what 
he  said  yesterday!  He  extended  a 
welcome  not  only  to  those  of  us 
who  are  here  visibly  or  visually 
present,  but  he  also  extended  a 
welcome  to  all  of  the  former  Presi- 
dents of  the  Church  and  all  the 
former  Apostles;  and  then  the  third 
welcome  was  a  thing  that  struck 
right  to  the  center  of  my  soul:  to 
all  those  others  of  our  loved  ones 
who  are  in  the  spirit  world,  he  ex- 
tended a  welcome.  I  was  certain 
that  it  would  be  so,  that  I  would 
be  close  to  those  beyond  our  sight, 
those  whom  we  have  loved  most 
dearly,  whose  passing  was  like  the 
burying  of  a  part  of  our  own  soul— 
to  feel  that  here  I  would  be  closer 
to  them  today  than  ever  before  and 
that  those  of  our  leaders  would  be 
here  from  the  Prophet  Joseph  on 
down  to  all  the  former  Presidents 
and  the  Apostles  of  this  dispensa- 
tion. With  a  feeling  that  I  was  one 
of  the  least  of  them,  I  desired  to  be 
worthy  to  be  here  in  the  midst  of 
such  a  company  today,  I  suppose 
I  have  come  with  anxiety  lest  I  be 
not  approved  this  day. 

If  the  Spirit  is  willing,  then  I 
should  like  to  give  vent  to  some 
things    that    have    been    running 


through  my  mind,  and  I've  made 
some  notes  on  what  the  brethren 
have  said.  When  a  company  of  mis- 
sionaries goes  through  the  temple,  if 
I'm  available,  I  am  assigned  to 
meet  with  them  and  attempt  to 
answer  their  questions.  One  of  the 
most  often  asked  questions  is, 
"Where  did  the  Church  get  the 
ordinances  that  are  given  us  here 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord?"  I  have 
read  to  every  company  of  mission- 
aries what  the  Lord  said  in  a 
revelation:  ".  .  .  I  deign  to  reveal 
unto  my  church  things  which  have 
been  kept  hid  from  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  things  that 
pertain  to  the  dispensation  of  the 
fulness  of  times. 

"And  I  will  show  unto  my  ser- 
vant Joseph  all  things  pertaining  to 
this  house  [he  was  talking  of  the 
temple],  and  the  priesthood  there- 
of, and  the  place  whereon  it  shall 
be  built."  (D&C  124:41-42.) 

It  is  no  wonder  to  me  that  it 
was  shown  to  those  whose  right 
it  was  to  have  such  things  given 
them,  where  this  temple  was  to  be, 
as  it  has  been  related  to  us.  It 
wasn't  an  accident.  And  the  ordi- 
nances to  be  performed  herein  came 
by  revelation.  We  have  two  classes 
of  revelation:  There  are  revela- 
tions which  might  be  said  to  be 
open  revelations  like  those  written 
in  the  Doctrine  and  Covenants  and 
elsewhere  which  may  be  given  to 
the  world.  And  then  we  have  what 
we  might  speak  of  as  closed  revela- 
tions. These  are  to  be  divulged  and 
given  only  in  sacred  places  which 
are  prepared  for  the  revealing  of 
the  highest  ordinances  which  be- 
long to  the  Aaronic  and  to  the 
Melchizedek  Priesthoods,  and  those 
ordinances  are  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord. 


FEBRUARY   1»60 


121 


There  is  a  vital  responsibility 
given  to  him  who  holds  the  keys, 
all  the  keys,  that  pertain  to  the 
kingdom,  even  the  President  of  the 
Church  in  each  dispensation.  The 
Lord  said  that  in  a  great  revela- 
tion. To  Peter,  the  Master  said, 
"And  1  will  give  unto  thee  the  keys 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven:  and 
whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  earth 
shall  be  bound  in  heaven:  and 
whatsoever  thou  shalt  loose  on 
earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven." 
(Matt.  16:19.)  He  also  said  that 
the  gates  of  hell  should  not  prevail 
against  Christ's  Church.  (See  ibid., 
16:18.)  Now,  the  gates  of  hell 
would  have  prevailed  against  the 
Lord's  work  if  there  hadn't  been 
given  the  ordinances  pertaining  to 
the  salvation  of  those  who  are  dead. 
During  those  periods  when  the 
priesthood  to  perform  the  saving 
ordinances  of  the  gospel  was  not 
upon  the  earth,  there  were  millions 
who  lived,  many  of  whom  were 
faithful  souls.  If  there  hadn't  been 
a  way  by  which  the  saving  ordi- 
nances of  the  gospel  could  be  per- 
formed for  those  who  thus  died 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  gos- 
pel, the  gates  of  hell  would  have 
prevailed  against  our  Feather's  plan 
of  salvation. 

That  which  was  said  to  Peter 
was  in  substance  said  to  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith.  If  you  will 
compare  these  two  statements  and 
the  significance  and  meaning  there- 
of—they convey  exactly  the  same 
meaning.  This  is  what  the  Lord 
said  to  the  Prophet  Joseph:  "Now 
the  great  and  grand  secret  of  the 
whole  matter,  and  the  summum 
bonum  of  the  whole  subject  that 
is  lying  before  us,  consists  in  ob- 
taining the  powers  of  the  Holy 
Priesthood.  For  him  to  whom  these 
keys  are  given  there  is  no  difficulty 
in  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  facts 
in  relation  to  the  salvation  of  the 
children  of  men,  both  as  well  for 
the  dead  as  for  the  living."  (D&C 
128:11.) 

Now  keep  in  mind,  this  doesn't 
mean  just  to  the  Prophet  Joseph 
Smith,  to  whom  this  revelation 
came.  The  same  is  true  of  President 
David  O.  McKay,  who  has  just  as 
much  right  to  receive  revelations 
pertaining  to  all  things  in  this  day, 
1964,  that  pertain  to  the  salvation 
of  the  dead  as  well  as  to  the  living. 

From  the  beginning  of  time  there 
have    been    various    methods    by 


which  the  endowment  has  been 
presented  to  those  who  would  re- 
ceive it  The  first  endowments  ap- 
parently were  not  given  in  the 
temple.  We  find  from  the  Prophet's 
own  journal  this  significant  state- 
ment: "I  spent  the  day  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  store,  that  is  in  my 
private  office  .  .  .  in  council  with 
General  James  Adams, . . .  Patriarch 
Hyrum  Smith,  Bishops  Newel  K. 
Whitney  and  George  Miller,  and 
President  Brigham  Young  and 
Elders  Heber  C.  Kimball  and  Wil- 
lard  Richards,  instructing  them  in 
the  principles  and  order  of  the 
Priesthood,  [now  if  you  will  notice 
these  next  words,  you'll  have  an 
excellent  definition  of  what  the 
holy  endowment  is]  attending  to 
washings,  anointings,  endowments 
and  the  communication  of  keys  per- 
taining to  the  Aaronic  Priesthood, 
and  so  on  to  the  highest  order  of 
the  Melchizedek,  .  .  .  setting  forth 
the  order  pertaining  to  the  Ancient 
of  Days,  and  all  those  plans  and 
principles  by  which  any  one  is 
enabled  to  secure  the  fulness  of 
those  blessings  which  have  been 
prepared  for  the  Church  of  the 
First  Born,  and  come  up  and  abide 
in  the  presence  of  the  Eloheim  in 
the  eternal  worlds"  (DHC,  5,  1-2) 
and  gain  your  exaltation  in  spite  of 
earth  and  hell. 

Now  I  submit  that  therein  is 
probably  one  of  the  most  complete 
definitions  of  the  endowment  that 
one  can  read. 

In  the  upper  room  over  the  store 
which  was  the  Prophet's  office 
were  performed,  keep  in  mind, 
washings  and  anointings.  He  in- 
structed as  to  keys  of  the  priest- 
hood. There  was  no  difference 
between  that  instruction  and  that 
which  was  later  given  in  temples 
except  as  to  the  method,  which  was 
later  developed,  in  which  we  have 
part  dramatization,  part  lecture, 
question  and  answer,  and  various 
methods  of  presentation  or,  in  the 
more  recent  development  under 
inspiration  to  our  President,  in 
which  visual  methods  are  used  to 
present  the  teachings  of  the  holy 
endowment. 

Sometimes  we  forget  that  we  are 
living  in  the  day  of  living  prophets. 
We  believe  in  "living"  prophets  and 
not  "dead"  prophets  only.  Some  are 
willing  to  accept  what  the  Prophet 
Joseph  said,  or  what  Brigham 
Young  said,  or  what  King  Benjamin 


or  what  Moses  said,  but  they  hesi- 
tate to  follow  the  living  prophet  of 
our  present  day. 

There  was  a  pattern  for  the  first 
temple  to  be  built.  The  Lord  in 
revelation  said,  "I  say  unto  you, 
that  it  is  my  will  that  a  house 
should  be  built  unto  me  in  the  land 
of  Zion,  [note]  like  unto  the  pat- 
tern which  I  have  given  you." 
( D&C  97: 10. )  There  was  a  revealed 
pattern  of  the  building  of  the  first 
temple,  where  it  was  to  be  built, 
and  also  apparently  the  blueprints. 
That  could  have  been  inspired,  I 
suppose,  through  an  architect,  or 
it  could  have  come  directly  from 
the  President  of  the  Church;  I 
don't  know.  But  he  says  the  build- 
ing was  "like  unto  the  pattern 
which  I  have  given  you."  And  then 
he  tells  about  how  they  should 
gather  the  most  beautiful  things  of 
the  earth  to  put  into  that  temple. 
In  other  words,  he  wants  these  holy 
temples,  we  would  say,  not  to  be 
extravagant,  but  certainly  of  the 
best  that, we  could  afford,  with  the 
workmanship  of  the  finest,  so  that 
it  would  be  a  place  in  which  we 
could  be  proud  to  receive  our  Lord 
or  to  which  he  would  be  pleased  to 
come. 

The  purpose  of  the  building  was 
declared.  He  said  it  would  be  "...  a 
place  of  thanksgiving  for  all  saints," 
and  that's  what  we  have  been  doing 
here  today,  feeling  grateful  and 
thankful  in  all  our  expressions  ".  .  . 
for  a  place  of  instruction  for  all 
those  who  are  called  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  in  all  their  several 
callings  and  offices; 

"That  they  may  be  perfected  in. 
the  understanding  of  their  ministry, 
in  theory,  in  principle,  and  in  doc- 
trine, in  all  things  pertaining  to 
the  kingdom  of  God  on  the  earth, 
the  keys  of  which  kingdom  have 
been  conferred  upon  you."  (Ibid., 
97:13-14.) 

Why  was  a  building  necessary? 
Brother  Romney  has  given  us  some 
excellent  explanations  as  to  why  a 
building.  The  Lord  said  it  in  one 
or  two  revelations  to  which  I  will 
make  but  brief  reference.  He  said: 

"And  inasmuch  as  my  people 
build  a  house  unto  me  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  and  do  not  suffer  any 
unclean  thing  to  come  into  it,  that 
it  be  not  defiled,  my  glory  shall  rest 
upon  it";  (Ibid.,  97:15.) 

Then  he  added  something  if 
we  do  permit  it  to  be  defiled  by 


122 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


permitting  those  who  are  unclean 
to  come  into  it,  ".  .  .  my  glory  shall 
not  be  there;  for  I  will  not  come 
into  unholy  temples."  (Ibid.,  97: 
17.)  Now  he  was  talking  of  the 
building. 

Many  of  you  will  remember 
Elder  Orson  F.  Whitney,  former 
member  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve,  an  intimate  associate  of 
President  McKay.  They  were  tall 
in  stature,  alike  in  that;  they  both 
had  great  literary  attainment;  they 
spoke  with  comparable  eloquence. 
I  used  to  think  of  them  in  my  boy- 
hood days  as  the  twins  of  literary 
perfection— these  two  great  Apostles 
of  the  Lord.  Elder  Whitney  wrote 
an  inscription  which  appears  on 
the  Cardston,  Alberta,  Temple: 

"Hearts  must  be  pure,  to  come  with- 
in these  walls, 

Where  spreads  a  feast  unknown  to 
festival  halls. 

Freely  partake,  for  freely  God  hath 
given, 

And  taste  the  holy  joys  that  tell  of 
Heaven. 

"Here  learn  of  Him  who  triumphed 
o'er  the  grave, 

And  unto  men,  the  keys,  the  king- 
dom gave. 

Joined  here  by  ties  the  past  and 
present  bind; 

The  living  and  the  dead  perfection 
find."  (The  Improvement  Era, 
April  1925,  p.  507.) 

In  the  earlier  days,  way  back  to 
the  time  of  Adam,  he  was  instructed 
to  offer  animal  sacrifices,  and  the 
prophets  who  succeeded  him  were 
told  that  these  sacrifices  should  be 
the  most  perfect,  the  firstlings  of 
the  flock  without  blemish.  As  I 
have  listened  to  President  McKay, 
there  came  to  me  this  thought,  as 
he  referred  to  all  of  us  who  are 
doing  work  for  our  kindred  dead  in 
the  temples,  as  saviors  on  Mount 
Zion.  In  doing  this  vicarious  work 
for  the  dead  by  those  of  us  who  are 
saviors  on  Mount  Zion,  the  Lord 
wants  it  to  be  done  as  nearly  as 
possible  by  those  who  are  without 
blemish.  Just  as  he  wanted  the 
animal  sacrifice  to  be  of  animals 
without  blemish,  he  wants  us  to 
come  here  pure  and  clean  and 
worthy  to  do  the  work,  the  vicari- 
ous work,  as  saviors  on  Mount  Zion. 

And  so  we  have  counseled  our 
bishops  and  our  stake  presidents 


to  take  meticulous  care  in  prepar- 
ing their  people  to  be  ready  to 
receive  a  recommend  and  not  to 
allow  those  to  come  here  who  have 
not  repented  of  their  sins,  who 
have  made  mistakes,  to  come  here 
unrepentant,  and  in  so  doing 
defile  this  holy  house.  I  think  there 
could  be  no  worse  hell  on  earth 
than  for  one  to  come  here  into  this 
near  presence  to  our  Father  with  a 
sense  of  guilt  and  uncleanness  still 
upon  that  person.  It  would  be  a 
devastating  and  a  shattering  ex- 
perience. 

The  Master  made  a  remark  about 
which  President  Brigham  Young 
comments,  relating  to  what  I'm 
talking  about  here.  Jesus  said,  "The 
foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of 
the  air  have  nests;  but  the  Son  of 
man  hath  not  where  to  lay  his 
head."  (Matt.  8:20.) 

President  Young,  commenting  on 
that,  said,  ".  .  .  how  could  Jesus' 
saying,  that  he  had  not  where  to 
lay  his  head,'  be  true?  Because  the 
house  which  the  Father  had  com- 
manded to  be  built  for  his  recep- 
tion, although  completed,  had 
become  polluted,  and  hence  the 
saying,  'My  house  is  the  house 
of  prayer:  but  ye  have  made  it  a 
den  of  thieves,'  and  he  made  a 
scourge  of  cords,  and  drove  the 
money-changers,  and  dove-sellers, 
and  faro-gamblers,  all  out  of  his 
house,  and  overthrew  their  tables; 
but  that  did  not  purify  the  house, 
so  that  he  could  not  sleep  in  it,  for 
an  holy  thing  dwelleth  not  in  an 
unholy  Temple."  (JD,  2,  30;  also 
Discourses  of  Brigham  Young,  p. 
414. )  There  wasn't  a  place  on  earth 
for  the  Son  of  Man  to  come  and 
dwell  and  to  lay  his  head. 

Now  the  nature  of  temple  or- 
dinances is  set  forth  in  some  revela- 
tions that  we  can  read  in  a  general 
way  and,  even  though  not  members 
of  the  Church,  we  may  know  about. 
But  these  are  safeguarded,  and 
we  say  that,  not  because  they  are 
secret,  for  anyone  may  come  here 
if  he  is  properly  recommended. 
The  whole  world  may  come  if  they 
will  accept  the  gospel  and  live  ac- 
cording to  its  precepts;  every  soul 
may  come  into  this  house  if  he 
becomes  a  worthy  church  member. 

But  we  say  the  ordinances  are 
sacred  as  contrasted  with  just  being 
secret.  This  has  been  so  in  other 
dispensations.  You  remember  the 
Master  said,  "Give  not  that  which 


is  holy  unto  the  dogs,  neither  cast 
ye  your  pearls  before  swine,  lest 
they  trample  them  under  their  feet, 
and  turn  again  and  rend  you." 
(Matt.  7:6.)  And  then  you  will 
remember  the  Master  said,  refer- 
ring to  something  which  means, 
I  think,  exactly  what  the  Master  is 
talking  about, 

".  .  .  for  this  cause  I  commanded 
Moses  that  he  should  build  a  taber- 
nacle, that  they  should  bear  it 
with  them  in  the  wilderness,  and 
to  build  a  house  in  the  land  of 
promise  [these  temples  that  Elder 
Romney  talked  about],  that  those 
ordinances  might  be  revealed  which 
had  been  hid  from  before  the 
world  was."  (D&C  124:38.)  The 
very  purpose  was  so  that,  in  the 
sanctuaries  of  those  holy  edifices, 
in  temples  like  this,  there  could  be 
revealed  that  which  couldn't  be 
had  otherwise. 

Now,  I  shall  make  only  one 
more  reference  that  I  have  had 
running  through  my  mind  also.  In 
every  session  and  more  than  once 
in  each  session,  the  great  prophecy 
of  Malachi  has  been  quoted: 

"Behold,  I  will  send  you  Elijah 
the  prophet  before  the  coming  of 
the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the 
Lord; 

"And  he  shall  turn  the  heart  of 
the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the 
heart  of  the  children  to  their  fath- 
ers, lest  I  come  and  smite  the  earth 
with  a  curse."  (Mai.  4:5-6.) 

You  know,  I've  had  a  thought 
about  that.  This  came  to  me  as 
I  listened  to  President  McKay 
repeat  that  scripture:  Elijah  did 
come,  as  Brother  Romney  said,  in 
that  house  which  was  prepared  to 
receive  the  keys,  in  the  Kirtland 
Temple,  when  the  draperies  were 
lowered  from  the  ceiling,  making  a 
closed  room  out  of  the  pulpits.  It 
was  there  that  Joseph  and  Oliver 
knelt,  and  it  was  there  that  Moses, 
Elijah,  and  Elias  came  after  the 
Savior  had  first  come  and  stood,  as 
it  were,  on  the  breastwork  of  the 
pulpit. 

I  ask  you  to  consider  a  church- 
wide  family  teaching  program 
about  which  we're  talking  today. 
Under  the  direction  of  President 
McKay  we  are  sending  throughout 
the  Church  a  program  to  strengthen 
the  relationship  of  parents  and  chil- 
dren in  the  home.  Not  that  it  is 
something  new— it  has  been  talked 
about,  to  use   President  McKay's 


FEBRUARY  1965 


i  as 


language,  "for  fifty  years"  since 
President  Joseph  F.  Smith  and  his 
Counselors  promised  church  mem- 
bers that  if  they  would  gather  their 
children  around  them  once  a  week 
and  instruct  them  in  the  gospel, 
those  children  in  such  homes  would 
not  go  astray. 

And  so  today  there  is  being  pre- 
pared instructions  to  do  what?  Is 
it  not  to  turn,  here  upon  the  earth, 
the  hearts  of  parents  to  children 
and  the  hearts  of  the  children  to 
parents.  Can  you  believe  that 
when  parents  have  passed  beyond 
the  veil  that  then  is  the  only  time 
when  parents  should  have  their 
hearts  turned  to  their  children  and 
children  to  their  parents?  As  I  sat 
here  thinking  about  the  remarks  of 
the  brethren,  I'd  have  you  consider 
seriously  whether  or  not  that  bind- 
ing with  your  family  will  be  secure 
if  you  have  waited  until  you've 
passed  beyond  the  veil  before  your 
hearts  then  yearn  for  your  children 
whom  you  have  neglected  to  help 
along  the  way.  Maybe  it  is  time 
for  us  to  think  or  turning  the 
hearts  of  parents  to  children  now 
while  living  in  order  that,  after 
they  are  gone  to  the  beyond,  there 
might  be  that  bond  between  par- 
ents and  children  which  will  last 
beyond  death.  I  think  it  is  a  very 
real  principle,  and  we  should  con- 
sider it. 

In  our  anxiety  for  worldly  gains, 
we  sometimes  forget  these  great 
and  mighty  principles  which  per- 
tain to  our  living  here  and  now. 

I  was  at  a  meeting  in  Provo  some 
years  ago.  We  had  husbands  and 
wives  in  attendance,  trying  to  get 
as  many  of  the  inactive  as  possible. 
If  there  are  any  of  those  within  the 
sound  of  this  meeting  who  have  not 
been  to  this  holy  house  for  their 
endowments,  some  who  may  be 
over  in  the  stake  center,  I  would 
ask  you  to  consider  this  which  I 
saw  dramatized  in  the  most  im- 
pressive way.  We  had  asked  a 
mother  to  tell  about  the  joy  which 
had  recently  come  to  her  when 
with  her  husband  and  family  she 
had  gone  to  the  temple.  She  told 
how  her  husband  as  a  young  man 
was  careless.  He  had  strayed  away 
and  taken  up  some  habits  so  that 
when  the  time  came  for  him  to  be 
advanced  in  the  priesthood,  he  was 
not  ready.  When  they  had  fallen  in 
love  and  were  ready  to  be  married, 
they  were  not  prepared  to  go  to 


the  temple,  but  he  said,  "I  promise 
you  that  if  you  will  marry  me  in  a 
civil  ceremony,  I'll  clean  up  my 
habits  and  I'll  take  you  to  the 
temple." 

Well,  the  years  passed.  He  would 
quit  in  the  morning  and  fail  by 
nighttime,  and  it  happened  dozens 
of  times  until  now  they  had  five 
little  girls.  Then  some  member  of 
the  priesthood,  with  patience— it 
could  have  been  a  home  teacher— 
with  strength  and  power  and  love, 
took  him  by  the  hand  as  Peter  did 
the  impotent  man  at  the  gate  Beau- 
tiful and  lifted  him  up,  not  just 
commanded  him  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  walk,  but  lifted  him 
up.  That  is  what  we  have  to  do  to 
some  of  these  brethren.  She  told 
about  that  day  when  the  bishop 
said,  "Now  you  are  worthy  to  be- 
come ordained  an  elder.  I  am 
recommending  you,  and  after  you 
are  ordained,  I  will  give  you  a 
recommend  to  take  your  wife  and 
your  five  little  girls  to  the  temple." 

And  she  told  about  that  day. 
After  they  had  gone  through  the 
temple,  across  a  sacred  altar,  they 
were  sealed  husband  and  wife  for- 
ever by  a  man  of  God  in  authority. 
Then  the  doors  opened,  and  in 
came  the  five  little  girls  dressed  in 
beautiful  white  dresses.  They  ar- 
ranged themselves  around  the  altar, 
and  that  same  man  of  God  pro- 
nounced them  a  family  for  eternity. 

She  told  it  beautifully,  and  there 
were  many  tears  as  she  spoke.  Then 
she  leaned  on  the  pulpit,  and  right 
down  in  front  of  her  a  row  or  two 
back  was  her  husband.  She  seemed 
to  forget  that  there  was  anyone 
there  but  just  the  two  of  them.  She 
said  to  him,  "Daddy,  I  don't  know 
how  to  tell  you  how  the  girls  and 
I  feel  about  what  you  have  done 
for  us.  I  guess  all  I  can  say  is, 
'Thank  God  from  the  bottom  of 
our  hearts  for  you,  Daddy.  Except 
for  you  who  holds  the  priesthood 
which  is  the  key  to  unlock  the  door 
to  our  heavenly  home,  not  even 
the  girls  and  I  could  be  together  in 
the  hereafter.  From  the  bottom  of 
our  hearts  we  thank  you,  our 
daddy.'" 

And  then  there  was  sobbing  all 
over,  and  I  could  have  wished  that 
all  the  careless  fathers  in  the  whole 
Church  could  have  been  waked  to 
realize  that  they  should  take  their 
place  as  the  head  of  their  families 
and  by  the  exercise  of  their  priest- 


hood should  take  the  sweetheart 
of  their  youth  and  their  children 
to  the  temple  before  it's  too  late. 
Now  it  is  that  sort  of  thing  about 
which  we  are  pleading  today. 

As  we  come  back  to  the  temples 
day  after  day,  and  I  hope  time  after 
time,  may  we  have  in  our  minds 
what  the  Master  said  in  almost  his 
closing  farewell  to  the  Nephites: 

".  .  .  it  came  to  pass  that  when 
Jesus  had  spoken  these  words  he 
looked  around  about  again  on  all 
the  multitude,  and  he  said  unto 
them:  Behold,  my  time  is  at  hand. 

"I  perceive  that  ye  are  weak,  that 
ye  cannot  understand  all  my  words 
which  I  am  commanded  of  the 
Father  to  speak  unto  you  at  this 
time. 

"Therefore,  go  ye  .unto  your 
homes,  and  ponder  upon  the  things 
which  I  have  said,  and  ask  of  the 
Father,  in  my  name,  that  ye  may 
understand,  and  prepare  your  minds 
for  the  morrow,  and  I  come  unto 
you  again."  (3  Nephi  17:1-3.) 

How  do  you  prepare  to  meet  the 
Lord?  This  is  where  he  will  fre- 
quently be.  The  Lord  said,  "There- 
fore, sanctify  yourselves  that  your 
minds  become  single  to  God,  and 
the  days  will  come  that  you  shall 
see  him;  .  .  .  and  it  shall  be  in  his 
own  time,  and  in  his  own  way,  and 
according  to  his  own  will."  (D&C 
88:68.) 

Here  was  the  formula  that  he 
gave  us  in  a  revelation  with  which 
I  close,  "Verily,  thus  saith  the 
Lord:  It  shall  come  to  pass  that 
every  soul  who  forsaketh  his  sins 
and  cometh  unto  me,  and  calleth 
on  my  name,  and  obeyeth  my  voice, 
and  keepeth  my  commandments, 
shall  see  my  face  and  shall  know 
that  I  am";  (Ibid.,  93:1.) 

Thank  God  for  the  revelations  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which 
bears  witness  to  my  soul  that  I 
know  with  all  my  soul  that  he  lives, 
that  he  is  the  Savior  of  the  world. 
I  know  that  this  is  a  sanctified  holy 
place  where  he  can  lay  his  head 
because  of  the  holiness  herein.  May 
you  who  come  here  come  with 
sanctified  hearts,  with  eyes  and 
minds  and  hearts  single  to  God  so 
that  you  will  feel  his  presence  and 
the  presence  of  those  whom  Presi- 
dent McKay  welcomed  yesterday- 
yes,  my  own  lovely  sweetheart, 
whose  presence  I  have  felt  as  I 
have  sat  here  through  these  ses- 
sions. God  grant  it  might  be  so,  and 


124 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


may  we  so  live  to  have  the  com-  self.  May  the  Lord  guide  us  to  so  inspired  direction,  I  pray  humbly 
panionship  of  those  who  are  beyond  live  that  we  may  be  worthy  of  their  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
our  sight  and  even  the  Master  him-      sweet  presence  and  to  receive  their     Christ.  Amen. 


SEEK  OUT 

YOUR  DEAD 


•  I  am  sure  that  that  is  the  prayer 
of  all  of  us,  that  we  may  be  worthy 
to  come  and  dwell  with  him. 

I  consider  it  a  great  privilege  and 
blessing  this  morning  to  be  here, 
and  to  have  been  here  yesterday, 
and  partake  of  the  lovely  spirit,  the 
sweet  spirit,  in  this  sacred  house, 
and  to  see  how  our  President  was 
blessed.  It  is  a  miracle  for  him  to 
be  able  to  come  here  and  speak  to 
us  and  direct  us,  inspire  us,  and 
dedicate  this  sacred  edifice  to  our 
Heavenly  Father. 

I  have  enjoyed,  more  than  I  can 
say,  this  beautiful  singing  of  the 
choir,  and  the  solo  today,  and  the 
choir  singing  yesterday,  and  the 
beautiful  solo  work,  and  I  am  sure 
it  brings  closer  to  us  the  Spirit  of 
our  Heavenly  Father.  It  is  a  great 
joy  and  blessing  for  us  to  be  able  to 
be  here,  my  brothers  and  sisters.  I 
hope  you  feel,  and  I  know  you 
cannot  help  feeling,  that  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  is  here. 

President  McKay  said  two  or 
three  times  yesterday  that  the  veil 
is  thin,  and  one  with  whom  he  was 
associated  said  there  is  no  veil.  I 
feel  this  morning  that  the  veil  is 
very  thin.  I  know  it  is  thin,  and 
especially  for  those  who  have  gone 
on  before  us,  for  those  who  are  on 
the  other  side—our  Father  in 
heaven,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
prophets  of  these  the  latter  days, 
and  our  loved  ones  who  are  there 
waiting  for  us. 

I  again  repeat  that  I  am  so  glad 
that  I  can  have  this  experience,  and 
so  glad  to  be  so  closely  associated 
with  our  President,  the  prophet  of 
God,  of  whom  I  should  like  to  bear 
testimony  this  morning. 

I  know  as  I  know  that  I  stand 
here  that  a  prophet  of  God  has 
been  presiding  in  these  services. 
We  are  being  directed  by  the  Lord, 
whose  influence  is  here  with  us 
this  day,  and  I  know,  as  that  beau- 


PRES1DENT  N.  ELDON  TANNER 

SECOND  COUNSELOR  IN  THE  FIRST  PRESIDENCY 

tiful  song  said,  "I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  lives,"  and- 1  am  so  happy 
to  have  that  testimony  and  appre- 
ciate the  great  sacrifice  that  he  was 
ready  to  make  for  you  and  me. 

I  am  pleased,  too,  to  know  be- 
yond any  shadow  of  doubt  that 
God  the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ  came  and  appeared  to  Joseph 
Smith,  and  that  other  heavenly  be- 
ings came  to  him  and  revealed  the 
gospel  and  restored  the  priesthood 
and  directed  him  in  his  work. 

There  is  no  doubt,  my  brethren 
and  sisters,  in  my  mind,  and  I  am 
sure  there  isn't  in  yours,  that  God 
the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ 
did  appear  and  instructed  him,  and 
that  he  knew  as  he  left  that  grove— 
and  because  he  had  that  experience 
in  that  grove  we  know  through  the 
same  spirit  and  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost— that  God  lives  and 
that  Jesus  is  the  Christ. 

Though  Joseph  was  persecuted 
and  reviled,  and  all  manner  of  evil 
was  spoken  against  him,  he  bore 
testimony  that  he  had  seen  a  vision. 
He  knew  it,  and  he  knew  that  God 
knew  it,  and  he  could  not  deny  it. 

For  the  next  three  years,  in  spite 
of  all  persecution,  he  remained 
strong  in  the  faith  until  the  Angel 
Moroni  appeared  to  him.  One  of  the 
first  things  the  Angel  Moroni  did 
was  to  repeat  the  prophecy  of 
Malachi  that  Elijah  would  be  sent 
before  the  coming  of  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord. 

This  prophecy  was  fulfilled  when 
Elijah  appeared  to  Joseph  and 
Oliver  in  the  Kirtland  Temple. 

Following  Moroni's  appearance 
to  him,  Joseph  was  visited  by  other 
heavenly  beings  through  whom  the 
priesthood  was  restored  and  by 
whom  he  was  instructed. 

Then  we  see  a  young  man  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  after  he  had  re- 
ceived the  priesthood,  after  he  had 
seen  God  the  Father  and  his  Son 


Jesus  Christ  and  these  other  heav- 
enly messengers,  stand  before  that 
small  group  of  people,  six  of  whom 
became  members  of  the  Church  at 
that  time;  and  he  stood  there  in 
dignity,  majestically,  I  am  sure,  and 
in  all  humility  said,  "I  have  been 
chosen  as  a  prophet,  a  seer,  a 
revelator,  a  translator,  and  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ." 
(See  D&C  21:1.) 

Imagine  a  young  man  having  the 
ability  and  the  courage  and  the 
nerve  and  the  testimony— all  that 
was  necessary  to  stand  before  them 
and  say,  "I  have  been  chosen  as  a 
prophet  of  God  and  as  President  of 
his  Church."  He  had  been  told  by 
the  Angel  Moroni  that  he  would  be 
known  for  good  and  evil  through- 
out the  world. 

Within  three  years  of  the  time 
the  Church  was  organized  with 
only  six  young  men,  they  com- 
menced to  build  a  temple  to  God, 
and  completed  it.  As  Brother 
[Marion  G.]  Romney  told  us  this 
morning,  heavenly  beings  and  Jesus 
Christ  himself  appeared  and  talked 
to  Joseph  and  Oliver,  all  of  which  is 
evidence  that  it  was  accepted  by 
the  Lord. 

This,  too,  is  a  house  of  the  Lord, 
and  I  feel  to  bear  my  testimony  that 
he  is  here.  I  hope,  my  brethren  and 
sisters,  that  we  can  be  in  harmony 
so  we  can  feel  the  influence  of 
that  Spirit  and  his  presence. 

Before  going  further,  I  should 
like  to  take  this  opportunity  of 
congratulating  those  who  are  re- 
sponsible for  the  building  of  this 
lovely  edifice.  It  is  a  testimony  to 
me  to  know  that  years  before  this 
building  was  constructed,  Brigham 
Young,  and  later  George  Albert 
Smith,  predicted  that  a  temple 
would  be  erected  in  this  area. 
When  the  spot  was  chosen  by  in- 
spiration, the  land  was  not  avail- 
able. However,  as  evidence  of  the 


FEBRUARY   1965 


128 


inspiration,  this  site  became  avail- 
able so  that  the  temple  could  be 
built  according  to  prediction. 

To  Brother  Harold  W.  Burton, 
this  fine  architect  who  was  the 
architect  for  the  Alberta  Temple, 
the  Hawaii  Temple,  and  now  this 
temple,  I  wish  to  pay  tribute.  I 
have  heard  him  explain  how  this 
building  was  built  and  how  the 
architectural  work  was  done,  and 
I  am  sure  he  was  inspired.  I  want 
to  congratulate  the  builders,  and  all 
who  participated  in  any  way— the 
landscape  gardeners,  the  engineers, 
those  who  have  helped  in  the  prep- 
aration for  this  dedicatory  service, 
and  all  those  who  assisted  President 
Stone  and  President  Wright,  and 
who  have  worked  so  diligently  and 
effectively  in  making  this  lovely 
experience  possible  for  us. 

I  wonder  if  we  really  appreciate 
our  blessings  and  our  responsi- 
bilities which  we  have  as  members 
of  the  Church  which  has  been  as- 
signed by  our  Heavenly  Father  to 
build  temples  and  to  ao  the  work 
therein.  We  are  the  only  people  in 
all  the  world  who  know  about 
temple  building,  why  they  are 
built,  and  who  have  the  priesthood, 
and  the  authority,  and  the  power, 
my  brethren  and  sisters,  to  do  this 
work.  May  we  prove  worthy  of 
this  blessing  and  responsibility  and 
go  forward  in  a  manner  acceptable 
to  our  Heavenly  Father. 

Brother  Romney  told  you  this 
morning  about  the  building  of  the 
Kirtland  Temple  and  the  Nauvoo 
Temple  and  the  sacrifices  those 
people  had  to  make,  and  I  think 
what  a  wonderful,  wonderful  thing 
it  is  to  know  that  the  Lord  made 
it  possible  for  those  people  to  enter 
into  the  city  of  Nauvoo  and  build  in 
six  years  the  biggest  city,  the  most 
populous  city,  in  all  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  and  they  built  and  com- 
pleted a  temple  to  God  under  all 
the  persecution.  They  finished  it 
even  after  Joseph  the  Prophet  and 
his  brother  Hyrum  had  been  mar- 
tyred. They  knew  they  were  going 
to  be  driven  out,  but  they  continued 
because  they  had  been  told  to  build 
a  temple.  No  sacrifice  was  too  great. 
No  fear  of  persecution  would  stop 
them. 

How  sad  it  is  to  know  that  they 
were  driven  out  shortly  thereafter. 
But  my  brethren  and  sisters,  to  me 
it  is  a  great  testimony  that  the  Lord 
will    bless    those    whom    he    has 


chosen,  though  he  will  chasten 
them.  It  was  necessary  for  those 
people  to  be  driven  to  the  West. 

It  is  an  interesting  thing  to  me 
to  know  what  has  happened  to  that 
city  of  Nauvoo  and  that  surround- 
ing territory,  located  in  the  area  of 
some  of  the  choicest  land  in  the 
whole  of  the  United  States,  and 
how  it  prospered  and  how  every- 
thing was  going  fine  even  in  spite 
of  the  persecution.  But  when  they 
left  and  were  driven  out  by  those 
who  persecuted  them,  what  hap- 
pened to  that  city?  It  has  gone 
down  until  it  is  a  very  small  town 
since  that  temple  was  destroyed. 

And  what  happened  to  the 
people  who  left  there  and  proved 
their  devotion  and  their  testimonies 
and  were  prepared  to  make  any 
sacrifice  to  do  what  the  Lord  called 
them  to  do?  They  crossed  the  plains 
with  suffering,  sickness,  persecu- 
tion, and  death,  but  note  the  first 
thing  they  did  when  they  landed 
there  in  the  Salt  Lake  Valley  in  that 
desert  and  sagebrush.  Brigham 
Young,  four  days  after  they  arrived, 
struck  that  arid  ground  with  his 
cane  and  said,  "Here  we  will  build 
a  house— a  temple  to  God." 

What  courage  I  And  they  went 
on  and  built  that  temple,  though 
it  took  them  forty  years.  Think  of 
their  bringing  that  granite  down 
from  Little  Cottonwood  Canyon, 
twenty  miles  away,  bringing  it  with 
ox  teams,  for  it  took  four  yoke  of 
oxen  to  bring  one  stone.  Then  they 
commenced  to  build  a  canal,  but 
abandoned  that  when  they  realized 
a  railway  could  be  built  into  the 
quarry  to  bring  that  stone  down. 
And  they  carried  on. 

But,  as  you  know,  at  the  time 
the  people  suffered  very  serious 
setbacks.  After  they  had  built  the 
wall  around  the  property,  and 
while  they  were  laying  the  founda- 
tion for  the  temple— they  had  not 
built  it  above  the  ground— they 
were  threatened  with  an  army  sent 
out  by  the  United  States  govern- 
ment to  quell  an  alleged  rebellion 
planned  there  in  the  Salt  Lake 
Valley.  Rather  than  put  up  with 
the  persecution  which  they  knew 
they  would  suffer,  they  were  pre- 
pared to  leave  their  homes,  and 
some  of  them  did.  But  before  leav- 
ing, they  filled  in  that  place  that 
had  been  dug  for  the  foundation, 
covered  it  over  completely,  and  left 
it  as  though  it  had  been  broken 


up  for  farming. 

Luckily,  there  was  a  settlement, 
an  understanding;  the  misunder- 
standing was  cleared  up,  and  the 
people  were  allowed  to  return,  and 
they  went  on  with  the  building  of 
that  temple.  Remember,  there  were 
only  five  thousand  people  in  the 
temple  district,  and  there  were 
fewer  than  twenty  thousand  in  the 
whole  valley  when  they  started  to 
build  the  temple,  but  they  under- 
took this  task  because  the  Lord  had 
commanded  them  to  do  it.  They 
continued  on  until  they  were  finally 
successful.  Yes,  it  took  them  forty 
years,  and  they  labored  under  three 
Presidents  of  the  Church;  and  dur- 
ing the  time  they  were  building  it, 
there  were  three  other  temples 
built  in  Utah. 

My  brethren  and  sisters,  to  me 
it  is  a  great  privilege,  as  I  have  said 
before,  to  belong  to  the  Church, 
where  we  have  a  prophet  of  God 
leading  us,  where  we  understand 
temple  work,  and  where  we  can 
participate  in  services  such  as  this. 

Now  the  greatest  temple  building 
period  has  been  under  our  present 
leader  and  prophet.  Five  out  of 
the  thirteen  temples  now  in  use 
have  been  dedicated  by  President 
McKay.  One  of  these  was  the  Swiss 
Temple  which  was  dedicated  in 
1955,  the  first  temple  to  be  built  in 
the  Old  World  since  the  crucifixion 
of  our  Savior.  For  1900  years  the 
Old  World  had  been  without  a 
temple,  from  70  AD  until  1955, 
when  our  own  President  was 
chosen  by  the  Lord  to  go  over  there 
and  again  build  a  temple. 

He  has  since  dedicated  the  Los 
Angeles  Temple  in  1956,  the  New 
Zealand  Temple  in  1958,  the  Lon- 
don Temple  the  same  year,  and 
then,  today,  the  Oakland  Temple 
in  1964. 

Both  in  modern  times  and  ancient 
times  the  covenant  people  of  God 
have  been  required  to  build  tem- 
ples, and  it  is  a  great  privilege  to 
participate  in  the  building  of  a 
house  of  the  Lord,  where,  as  was 
so  beautifully  stated  by  Brother 
Lee  and  Brother  [Marion  G.]  Rom- 
ney, the  Lord  can  come  and  dwell 
and  where  we  can  come  and  feel 
his  Spirit. 

But  as  we  build  these  buildings, 
we  must  not  feel  that  we  have 
arrived  or  that  our  work  is  done 
and  has  been  completed;  rather  we 
have  just  reached  the  point  where 


126 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


we  can  begin  to  do  the  work  which 
the  Lord  has  asked  us  to  do.  We 
have  the  great  privilege  and  re- 
sponsibility of  doing  work  for  our 
dead— those  who  have  gone  on  be- 
fore us.  Nobody  else  understands 
it.  Nobody  else  has  been  given  that 
call  and  that  responsibility  that  has 
come  to  us  today.  I  hope  and  pray 
that  you  and  I  and  all  of  us,  yes,  all 
members  of  the  Church,  will  realize 
what  a  responsibility  and  what  a 
great  privilege  it  is  to  do  this  work 
for  those  who  are  not  able  to  do  it  for 
themselves  and  who  are  there  now 
in  prison  waiting  for  us  to  do  their 
work  so  that  they  might  progress 
and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  those  for 
whom  this  work  has  been  done. 

As  I  saw  that  picture  at  the  New 
York  World's  Fair  in  which  it 
showed  the  people  being  met  by 
those  who  had  gone  on  before 
them,  it  made  me  stop  and  think. 
You  know  everybody  living  in  the 
world  today  has  progenitors  who 
have  gone  on  before  them  without 
hearing  the  gospel,  and  without 
having  the  privilege  of  understand- 
ing and  accepting  it  and  doing  their 
oWn  work.  They  are  waiting  for 
you  and  me. 

As  I  think  of  that,  and  what 
great  joy  it  would  bring  to  them 
to  have  the  work  done  for  them 
and  let  them  out  of  prison  so  that 
they  might  go  on  and  progress,  I 
am  hiimblecC  You  know  the  Lord 
himself,  while  his  body  lay  in  the 
tomb,  went  and  preached  to  the 
spirits  in  prison  that  they  might  be 
prepared  to  accept  this  work  when 
we  do  it.  Now  he  has  given  us  the 
responsibility  of  doing  for  them  the 
work  which  they  cannot  do  for 
themselves. 

I  appeal  to  you,  my  brothers  and 
sisters  to  accept  this  responsibility 
and  this  great  privilege  and  ertjoy 
the  blessings  that  are  sure  to  come. 


May  I  ask  you  today  to  covenant 
with  the  Lord  that  you  will  attend 
the  temple  at  least  once  a  month, 
if  you  are  in  an  area  where  this  is 
possible.  I  do  not  know  how  near 
you  would  have  to  be,  but  I  do 
know  that  we  used  to  attend  when 
we  lived  150  miles  from  the  temple 
and  never  missed  a  month.  I  know 
it  can  be  done,  and  I  know  it  should 
be  done.  What  a  great  blessing  it 
would  be  if  all  the  people  in  this 
Church  were  to  go  to  the  temple 
once  a  month— those  who  can— and 
those  who  cannot  should  be  pre- 
pared as  soon  as  possible  that  they 
might  enjoy  this  great  privilege  of 
being  a  savior  to  those  who  have 
gone  on  before  them.  You  know, 
the  Savior  was  prepared  to  give  his 
life  for  you  and  me.  Surely  we 
should  be  prepared  to  give  at  least 
a  day  a  month. 

What  a  wonderful  thing  it  would 
be  if  the  members  of  this  Church 
would  covenant  with  the  Lord  that 
they  would  do  this;  and  if  you  live 
where  you  cannot  attend  once  a 
month,  there  are  two  other  things 
you  can  do,  and  which  we  have 
been  asked  to  do. 

One  is  that  we  do  research  work, 
seek  out  our  dead.  The  Church  is 
spending  millions  of  dollars  to 
make  it  possible  for  us  to  seek  out 
our  dead  and  give  the  direction  and 
help  that  we  need  in  doing  this 
work. 

To  go  to  the  temple  and  do  the 
endowment  work  is  not  sufficient. 
Now,  if  you  are  so  far  away  that 
you  cannot  attend  the  temple  regu- 
larly, be  active  in  seeking  out  all  the 
genealogy  of  your  progenitors  so 
that  the  work  may  be  done  for 
them,  and  you  can  arrange  with 
somebody  else  to  do  the  work  when 
you  have  the  information. 

My  brethren  and  sisters,  I  was 
pleased  with  what  Brother  Lee  said 


about  drawing  the  heart  of  the 
fathers  to  the  children  and  the  chil- 
dren to  the  fathers,  and  I  would  like 
to  go  on  with  what  he  said  there. 
It  is  your  privilege  and  your  re- 
sponsibility, and  it  would  be  a  great 
blessing  to  your  children,  if  you 
would  start  today  to  let  them  know 
why  the  temples  are  built  and  that 
they  are  built  under  the  direction 
of  God  and  for  a  certain  purpose, 
and  that  no  unclean  thing  can  enter 
these  walls". 

Prepare  your  children,  and  let 
them  know  how  they  can  be  saviors 
on  Mount  Zion.  Help  them  to  ap- 
preciate that.  Don't  preach  to  them. 
Tell  them  what  a  privilege  it  is  and 
what  an  opportunity  it  is  to  prepare 
themselves  to  go  to  the  temple. 

Now  if  we  just  realize  this,  and 
put  ourselves  in  a  position  where 
we  can  do  this  work  for  our  dead, 
and  set  about  to  do  it,  encourage 
others  to  do  it,  and  teach  and 
train  our  children  that  tney  will  be 
prepared  to  do  it,  we  will  be  doing 
the  work  we  have  been  called  to  do. 

I  want  to  bear  you  my  testimony, 
my  brethren  and  sisters,  that  it  will 
bring  joy  to  your  hearts;  it  will 
bring  joy  to  millions  of  those  who 
have  gone  on  before  us,  who  are 
waiting  there.  As  I  think  of  going 
back  into  their  presence,  I  wonder 
how  I  will  be  met.  I  hope  I  will  be 
met  with  open  arms,  and  I  will 
only  if  I  will  have  done  what  I  can 
do  to  make  it  possible  for  them  to 
progress.  I  do  not  want  to  think 
how  I  will  be  met  and  how  I  will 
feel  if  I  neglect  that  work. 

The  Lord  gave  his  life  for  you 
and  me,  my  brethren  and  sisters. 
We  are  being  led  by  a  prophet  and 
directed  in  our  course.  May  we 
follow  that  direction  and  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  the  faithful,  I  numbly 
pray  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


THE  GLORY  OF  ANCIENT 
TEMPLES  -  -  AND  MODERN 


STERLING   W.  SILL 

ASSISTANT    TO    THE    COUNCIL    OF    THE    TWELVE 


•  My  brothers  and  sisters,  I  appre-  during  the  noon  recess,  it  was  my  We  heard  from  him  an  explanation 

ciate  very  much  this  privilege  of  pleasure  with   some  others   to  be  of  how  the  entire  earth  had  been 

having  a  part  with  you  in  this  thrill-  shown    through    this   building   by  searched  in  order  to  find  exactly 

ing  and  historic  event.  Yesterday  the   great   man   who  designed   it.  the  right  materials  from  which  this 


FEBRUARY   1963 


127 


temple  to  the  Lord  could  be  built. 
Then  this  morning  as  we  were  rid- 
ing toward  this  site,  I  looked  up 
from  the  valley  to  this  magnificent 
edifice  and  tried  to  imagine  how 
long  it  might  endure.  It  seemed  to 
be  not  improbable  that  it  may  stand 
here  throughout  the  millennium  to 
serve  the  eternal  purposes  of  the 
people  of  this  important  area. 

William  James  once  said  that 
"the  greatest  use  of  life  is  to  spend 
it  for  something  that  outlasts  it." 
Certainly  this  structure  will  outlast 
our  mortality  as  well  as  the  mor- 
tality of  many  who  will  follow  us. 
At  this  service  reference  has  been 
made  to  the  erection  and  dedication 
of  other  temples  and  to  the  fact  that 
one  of  the  signs  of  the  true  Church 
of  Christ  upon  the  earth  has  been 
that  the  people  have  built  temples 
and  have  performed  sacred  ordi- 
nances therein  according  to  the  di- 
rection and  command  of  the  Lord. 
It  was  fourteen  days  less  than  one 
year  after  the  children  of  Israel  had 
been  liberated  from  their  Egyptian 
bondage  that  in  obedience  to  the 
command  of  the  Lord  they  had 
erected  a  sacred  tabernacle  which 
they  could  carry  on  their  backs 
during  their  forty  years  sojourn  in 
the  wilderness.  This  tabernacle 
which  served  them  as  a  temple 
measured  forty-five  feet  in  length, 
fifteen  feet  in  width,  and  fifteen 
feet  in  height.  Even  after  they  had 
established  themselves  in  their 
promised  land,  this  structure  con- 
tinued to  serve  them  as  their  temple 
for  some  459  years. 

As  the  king  of  ancient  Israel, 
David  desired  to  build  a  more  ade- 
quate temple  of  the  Lord.  The 
people  both  needed  and  wanted  a 
temple.  The  Lord  wanted  them  to 
have  a  temple,  but  because  David 
had  made  himself  unworthy  to 
build  the  temple,  this  privilege  was 
denied  to  him.  And  the  Lord  had 
Said  that  the  temple's  construction 
must  be  postponed  until  after 
David's  death.  Sometimes  we  may 
think  that  our  building  contribu- 
tions and  other  church  responsibili- 
ties are  a  little  bit  heavy  to  bear, 
but  suppose  that  in  imagination  we 
put  ourselves  in  David's  place. 
How  would  we  feel  if  we  were  told 
by  the  Lord  that  he  would  not 
accept  an  offering  at  our  hands? 

One  day  an  angel  appeared  to 
David  and  told  him  that  it  was  the 
Lord's  desire  that  he  build  an  altar 


on  which  to  offer  sacrifice.  He  was 
told  that  the  altar  should  be  built 
on  an  elevated  area  used  as  a 
threshing  floor  by  one  of  David's 
wealthy  subjects  whose  name  was 
Oman.  (1  Chron.  21:18.)  David 
told  Oman  what  the  angel  had  said 
and  asked  if  he  would  sell  this  land 
for  that  purpose.  Oman  told  the 
king  that  he  could  not  only  have 
the  land,  but  that  he  could  have  it 
free  of  charge.  Not  only  that,  but 
Oman  also  offered  to  furnish  the 
wheat,  the  oil,  and  the  oxen  that 
would  make  up  the  sacrifice.  Then 
David  said  something  that  is  pro- 
found, no  matter  to  which  depart- 
ment of  our  lives  it  may  be  applied. 
In  substance  he  said,  "I  will  not 
offer  unto  the  Lord  an  offering  that 
doth  cost  me  nothing."  ( See  2  Sam. 
24:24.)  So  David  paid  the  equiva- 
lent of  six  thousand  dollars  for  this 
altar  site  which  would  be  where 
Solomon's  Temple  would  later  be 
built. 

David  had  been  denied  the  privi- 
lege of  building  the  temple,  and 
he  did  not  want  to  lose  any  of  the 
other  benefits  that  were  available 
to  him.  If  we  ever  feel  that  we  are 
doing  too  much,  we  might  remem- 
ber David  and  his  philosophy  of 
paying  for  what  we  get.  Just  sup- 
pose that  we  had  someone  to  make 
our  sacrifices  for  us,  someone  to 
pay  our  tithing  for  us  and  do  our 
studying  and  our  home  teaching  for 
us.  Such  a  procedure  may  save  us 
some  effort,  but  it  would  also  cost 
us  our  blessings.  The  one  who  said 
our  prayers  for  us  and  did  our 
worshiping  for  us  would  also  do  our 
growing  and  receive  all  of  our  other 
offered  advantages. 

Finally,  when  David  was  old,  he 
delivered  his  famous  charge  to  his 
son  Solomon,  who  was  about  to  re- 
place him  upon  the  throne.  David 
said: 

"I  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth:  be 
thou  strong  therefore,  and  shew 
thyself  a  man; 

"And  keep  the  charge  of  the 
Lord  thy  God,  to  walk  in  his  ways, 
to  keep  his  statutes,  and  his  com- 
mandments, and  his  judgments,  and 
his  testimonies,  as  it  is  written  in 
the  law  of  Moses,  that  thou  mayest 
prosper  in  all  that  thou  doest,  .  .  ." 
(1  Kings  2:2-3.) 

Solomon  ascended  the  throne 
when  he  was  only  a  teenager.  Then 
at  Gibeon  the  Lord  appeared  to 
him  in  a  dream  and  asked  him  what 


he  would  like  to  have.  ( See  ibid., 
3.)  Solomon  said  that  above  all 
other  things  he  desired  an  under- 
standing heart  that  he  might  judge 
his  people  with  wisdom.  The  Lord 
was  pleased  with  the  young  king's 
request  and  granted  his  wish.  Then 
in  the  fourth  year  of  Solomon's 
reign  he  began  to  build  the  house 
of  the  Lord.  It  was  now  488  years 
since  the  Israelites  had  been  liber- 
ated from  their  Egyptian  bondage. 
The  site  on  which  the  temple  was 
to  stand  was  the  original  site 
pointed  out  by  the  angel  for  the 
altar  on  which  David  had  offered 
sacrifice. 

As  with  the  Oakland  Temple,  the 
materials  for  the  temple  of  Solo- 
mon came  from  all  over  the  world. 
The  cedars  were  sent  from  Leba- 
non, the  most  skilled  workers  were 
imported  from  Phoenicia  and  Tyre. 
Especially  selected  building  ma- 
terials with  all  kinds  of  precious 
gems  were  sent  from  all  over  the 
known  world.  The  Queen  of  Sheba 
came  from  southern  Arabia  bring- 
ing with  her  many  rare  spices, 
precious  stones,  and  120  talents 
of  gold.  (See  ibid,,  10:10.)  This 
gold  itself  was  said  to  be  worth 
well  over  three  million  dollars.  The 
fleets  of  Hiram,  king  of  Tyre, 
brought  420  talents  of  gold  from 
the  mines  of  Ophir.  In  a  single  year 
Solomon  received  contributions  of 
gold  amounting  to  well  over  twenty 
million  dollars  in  value.  ( See  ibid., 
10:14.) 

Then  at  the  time  of  the  dedica- 
tion 22,000  oxen  and  120,000  sheep 
were  offered  up  as  a  sacrifice.  We 
are  told  that  fire  from  the  Lord 
came  down  and  consumed  the  of- 
fering. Then  the  record  says  that 
Solomon  and  all  of  the  people  dedi- 
cated the  temple  unto  the  Lord. 
What  a  wonderful  possession  this 
holy  place  was  for  this  chosen  na- 
tion of  Israel.  But  it  has  always 
seemed  difficult  for  people  to  be 
worthy  of  their  blessings,  and  it 
was  only  forty  years  after  the  dedi- 
cation that  Jerusalem  was  invaded 
by  Nebuchadnezzar  and  his  armies 
from  Babylon.  The  temple  was  first 
plundered  and  then  burned  to  the 
ground.  Nebuchadnezzar  carried 
with  him  back  to  Babylon  millions 
of  dollars  worth  of  treasures  that  he 
took  from  the  temple.  Some  four 
hundred  years  later  in  516  BC,  the 
temple  was  rebuilt  on  the  same 
ancient  site  of  Zerubbabel.  But  on 


128 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


several  occasions  this  edifice  was 
also  violated  and  made  unholy,  and 
it  was  also  finally  destroyed.  Then 
some  thirty-seven  years  BC,  Herod 
took  Jerusalem;  and  twenty  years 
later  in  order  to  gain  favor  with  the 
Jews,  he  undertook  to  rebuild  the 
temple  again,  but  this  time  on  a 
greatly  enlarged  scale.  The  con- 
struction was  still  in  process  during 
the  ministry  of  Jesus  and  was  not 
fully  completed  until  65  AD,  just 
six  years  before  the  armies  of  Titus 
destroyed  Jerusalem  and  again  com- 
pletely demolished  the  temple,  leav- 
ing not  one  stone  upon  another  in 
fulfilment  of  the  Lord's  prophecy. 
It  is  interesting  however  that 
Jesus  acknowledged  the  temple  as 
his  Father's  house  and  made  sub- 
stantial use  of  it  in  his  own  ministry. 
It  was  here  he  taught  the  wise  men 
at  age  twelve.  It  was  here  that  the 
voice  of  his  Father  had  been  heard 
giving  approval  of  his  ministry.  He 
came  to  the  temple  daily  to  teach 
the  people  during  the  last  week  of 
his  life.  It  was  on  the  last  Sunday 
that  he  made  his  triumphal  entry 
into  Jerusalem  and  wept  over  the 
city.  On  Monday  he  cleansed  the 
temple's  courts  by  driving  out 
the  money  changers.  He  said  to 
them,  ".  .  .  My  house  shall  be  called 
.  .  .  the  house  of  prayer  .  .  .  but  ye 
have  made  it  a  den  of  thieves." 
(Mark  11:17.)  Then  Tuesday  be- 
fore his  crucifixion  on  Friday,  he 
came  to  the  temple  for  the  last 
time.  He  taught  the  people  during 
the  entire  day,  giving  them  a  final 
opportunity  to  repent  and  accept 
the  gospel.  At  the  end  of  the  day 
he  retired  from  the  temple  for  the 
last  time  and  began  his  walk  back 
to  the  little  home  in  Bethany  where 
he  was  spending  these  last  few  days 
of  his  life.  His  journey  led  him  and 
his  followers  across  the  Mount  of 
Olives,  and  as  he  neared  the  sum- 
mit, he  stopped  to  rest,  and  as  he 
did  so  he  looked  back  upon  this 
historic  building.  This  was  a  place 
made  dear  to  every  Jewish  heart 
by  the  many  sacred  memories 
with  which  it  was  associated.  This 
is  a  spot  that  had  been  designated 
by  the  Lord  over  a  thousand  years 
before  as  the  place  where  their 
famous  King  David  had  erected  the 
altar  to  offer  sacrifice.  This  was  the 
place  where  Solomon  had  built  his 
magnificent  temple.  This  had  been 
the  center  of  Jewish  traditions  dur- 
ing a  long  and  eventful  national 


history.  This  was  the  place  to  which 
Jehovah  himself  had  come  and 
from  which  he  was  now  taking  his 
final  leave. 

Someone  has  painted  for  us  a 
mental  picture  of  Jesus  standing 
upon  the  Mount  of  Olives  saying 
farewell  to  the  temple  and  the  city 
that  he  loved.  As  it  was  near  the 
end  of  the  day,  we  might  well  imag- 
ine that  the  last  rays  of  the 
declining  sun  had  lighted  this  his- 
toric building  in  golden  splendor. 
Jesus  contemplated  the  scene  and 
gave  his  historic  farewell,  saying, 
"O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which 
killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest 
them  that  are  sent  unto  thee;  how 
often  would  I  have  gathered  thy 
children  together,  as  a  hen  doth 
gather  her  brood  under  her  wings, 
and  ye  would  not!"  (Luke  13:34.) 

Then  he  said,  "Behold,  your 
house  is  left  unto  you  desolate:  .  .  ." 
(Ibid.,  13:35.)  But  yesterday  he 
had  called  it  "my  house."  Now  their 
chance  had  gone.  They  had  re- 
jected him,  and  he  was  leaving 
these  sacred  temple  precincts  for- 
ever. In  less  than  three  days  he 
would  hang  with  outstretched  arms 
above  Calvary;  therefore  with 
meaningful    significance,    he   said, 

UNTO  GOD  A  TEMPLE-OAKLAND 

BY    ANNETTE    WEODELL 

White  waters  restless  as  the  mind 

of  God 
Move   over  stone.   Each  fountain 

gently  falls. 
Palms  soar  unbending  as  his  staff 

and  rod. 
Six  fluted  pillars  shadow  courtyard 

walls. 
Twelve,  as  the  tribes  of  Israel,  oxen 

bear 
Upon  their  massive  backs  the  font 

of  birth. 
Cool  stone,  warm  gold,  leaf  green, 

the  altars  where 
His  children  ponder  mysteries  of 

earth 
And  paradise.  Pale  marble  petals 

glow. 
This   place   of   Pharaoh   splendor 

soaring  high 
Above  the  city's  blurred  and  molten 

flow 
Sends  hope,  like  spires,  yearning 

toward  the  sky. 
How  many—come  to  whisper,  come 

to  stare- 
Turn  homeward  tear-wet  faces  bent 

in  prayer? 


".  .  .  your  house  is  left  unto  you 
desolate:   .  .  ." 

This  Oakland  Temple  has  also 
been  dedicated  to  the  Lord,  and  I 
suppose  that  the  most  unfortunate 
thing  that  could  ever  happen  would 
be  for  it  to  someday  revert  to  us, 
so  that  instead  of  being  God's 
house,  it  might  once  again  become 
"our  house."  Many  times  during 
these  sessions,  we  have  been  in- 
structed that  we  should  never  allow 
any  attitude  or  uncleanness  to  come 
into  this  place  that  would  grieve 
the  Spirit  of  our  Heavenly  Father 
or  make  his  house  less  beautiful 
or  less  sacred  than  it  now  is.  And 
I  suppose  that  the  most  important 
thing  that  any  one  of  us  can  do  to 
guarantee  that  condition  would  be 
to  make  sure  that  our  lives  are  fully 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  our 
Heavenly  Father. 

On  April  3,  1836,  the  Prophet 
Joseph  Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery 
were  praying  in  the  Kirtland 
Temple  just  a  few  days  after  it  had 
been  dedicated.  The  resurrected 
Jesus  appeared  to  them  and  in- 
structed them.  And  in  consequence 
of  this  vision  they  gave  to  the  world 
some  of  the  most  inspiring  lines  in 
all  of  sacred  literature  regarding  the 
reality  and  goodness  of  God.  The 
Prophet  said: 

"And  now,  after  the  many  testi- 
monies which  have  been  given  of 
him,  this  is  the  testimony,  last  of 
all,  which  we  give  of  him:  That 
he  lives! 

"For  we  saw  him,  even  on  the 
right  hand  of  God;  and  we  heard 
the  voice  bearing  record  that  he 
is  the  Only  Begotten  of  the  Father— 

"That  by  him,  and  through  him, 
and  of  him,  the  worlds  are  and 
were  created,  and  the  inhabitants 
thereof  are  begotten  sons  and 
daughters  unto  God."  (D&C  76: 
22-24.) 

That  is  probably  the  greatest 
idea  there  is  in  the  world. 

May  God  help  us  to  fully  under- 
stand the  tremendous  significance 
of  this  magnificent  structure  as  it 
stands  on  this  elevated  place  as  a 
brilliant  symbol  that  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  has  again  been  re- 
stored to  the  earth,  inviting  all  men 
to  accept  their  Creator's  invitation 
to  qualify  themselves  for  eternal 
exaltation.  That  we  may  all  get  the 
message  before  it  is  too  late,  I 
humbly  pray  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Amen. 


FEBRUARY   1«6S 


129 


"...THAT  MY  PEOPLE 

MAY  BE  TAUGHT 
MORE  PERFECTLY..." 


•  I'm  sure  that  you  agree  with  me 
that  the  prayers  of  the  Saints  have 
been  answered  with  the  presence 
and  participation  here  of  our  great 
leader  and  prophet  David  O. 
McKay,  when  it  appeared  to  some 
that  he  might  not  be  able  to  be 
present.  It  seeihs  to  me  that  with 
each  successive  session  he  gathers 
strength  and  becomes  more  vigor- 
ous and  more  impressive  than  ever. 
I  am  so  grateful  for  his  presence  and 
for  the  presence  of  all  of  you.  I 
wish  here  in  just  a  word  to  express 
my  personal  appreciation  to  those 
who  found  this  choice  site  on  which 
the  temple  is  built  and  for  the  fact 
that  President  McKay  decreed,  with 
the  approval  of  the  Twelve  and  the 
Counselors  in  the  Presidency,  that 
it  should  be  built. 

My  admiration  for  the  architects 
who  conceived  it  increases  with 
each  succeeding  edifice  they  create 
in  their  minds  and  on  paper  before 
it  becomes  a  reality,  as  well  as  for 
those  who  follow  the  plan,  the  blue- 
prints, and  the  specifications  and 
actually  bring  them  into  being.  My 
tribute  to  them  I  must  express.  I 
must  express  also  my  thanks  and 
gratitude  for  the  privilege  of  having 
presided  nearly  seventeen  years  in 
holy  temples,  where  almost  every 
day  I  found  myself  with  my  com- 
panion and  the  faithful  temple 
workers  making  possible  for  thou- 
sands of  people  blessings  beyond 
compare.  I  hope  that  I  may  never 
be  divorced  entirely  from  the 
temples^  for  my  heart  is  there,  and 
I  love  the  work. 

We  should  be  grateful,  brothers 
and  sisters,  that  we  live  in  the  day 
when  all  the  keys  of  the  priesthood 
and  its  powers,  gifts,  and  authority 
have  through  the  visitation  of  heav- 
enly beings,  resurrected  beings, 
been  again  committed  into  the 
hands  of  men.  We  should  be  grate- 
ful that  the  true  Church  has  been 
divinely  restored  in  the  fulfilment 


ELRAY    L.    CHRISTIANSEN 

ASSISTANT    TO    THE    COUNCIL     OF    THE    TWELVE 
AND     COORDINATOR     OF     TEMPLES 


of  the  prophecies  made  by  prophets 
of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testaments. 
We  should  rejoice  in  the  prepara- 
tion and  the  dedication  of  this  the 
fifteenth  temple  in  this  dispensa- 
tion. With  the  living  poetess  Mabel 
Jones  Gabbott,  I  say: 

Rejoice,  ye  Saints  of  latter  days; 
Lift  up  your  hearts   in   songs   of 

praise; 
Another  temple  to  our  God 
Now  stands  upon  this  chosen  sod, 
A  house  of  holiness  and  love 
To  him  who  sits  enthroned  above. 

Again  is  reared  from  earth's  deep 

sod 
A  temple  to  the  Most  High  God; 
A  house  of  prayer,  a  place  of  peace, 
Where  envy,  hate,  and  greed  will 

cease, 
Where  men  will  serve  unselfishly 
Their  kindred  dead  and  set  them 

free. 

Oh,  workmen,  rear  it  tenderly 
In  perfect  form  and  symmetry. 
Let  love  be  in  this  holy  place; 
Let  no  crude  act  Or  word  efface 
This  sacred  edifice  of  prayer; 
Oh,  build  it  true  with  utmost  care. 

Oh,  Saints,  rejoice  in  this  great  day 
And  worship  him  in  his  own  way, 
For  thus  his  kingdom  will  go  forth 
Until  his  temples  fill  the  earth; 
Then  will  the  heavens  sing  above, 
And  Christ  descend  to  reign  in  love. 
(Hymns,  207.) 

We  should  rejoice;  but  it  is  not 
surprising  that  Latter-day  Saints 
are  a  temple-building  people.  Evi- 
dence shows  that  whenever  the 
Higher  Priesthood  was  upon  the 
earth,  and  when  his  people  were 
obedient  to  his  commandments,  the 
Lord  required  that  they  build 
temples  and  dedicate  them  for 
sacred  purposes.  In  each  instance  he 
has  given  chosen  men  the  necessary 


keys  and  power  and  authority  to 
act  in  his  name  in  administering 
certain  saving  ordinances.  I  am 
amazed  as  I  read  of  the  Taber- 
nacle in  the  wilderness;  of  what 
went  on  there;  and  in  how  so  nearly 
alike  it  was  to  our  temple  work  to- 
day. In  the  book  of  Exodus  we  read 
this:  "And  thou  shalt  bring  Aaron 
and  his  sons  unto  the  door  of  the 
tabernacle  of  the  congregation,  and 
wash  them  with  water. 

"And  thou  shalt  put  upon  Aaron 
the  holy  garments,  and  anoint  him, 
and  sanctify  him;  that  he  may  min- 
ister unto  me  in  the  priest's  office. 

"And  thou  shalt  bring  his  sons, 
and  clothe  them  with  coats: 

"And  thou  shalt  anoint  them,  as 
thou  didst  anoint  their  father,  that 
they  may  minister  unto  me  in  the 
priest's  office:  for  their  anointing 
shall  surely  be  an  everlasting  priest- 
hood throughout  their  generations." 
(Exod.  40:12-15.) 

We  have  already  heard  of  other 
temples  built  during  the  Old  Testa- 
ment history. 

Throughout  the  history  of  the 
Nephites  evidence  is  clear  that  they 
too  were  a  temple  building  people. 
Nephi  tells  us  plainly: 

"And  I,  Nephi,  did  build  a 
temple;  and  I  did  construct  it  after 
the  manner  of  the  temple  of  Solo- 
mon save  it  were  not  built  of  so 
many  precious  things;  for  they  were 
not  to  be  found  upon  the  land.  .  .  ." 
(2  Nephi  5:16.) 

They  had  descended  from  a 
temple-building  people,  and  several 
references  show  that  sacred  prin- 
ciples were  taught  the  people  in 
the  temple  by  Nephi  and  Jacob,  at 
least.  Later  in  Zarahemla  they  built 
another  temple,  and  still  later,  an- 
other in  the  land  Bountiful.  Always 
with  God's  chosen  people,  ancient 
and  modern  Israel,  temples  have 
been  the  center  of  interest  and  a 
focal  part  of  their  lives. 

And  so  it  is  with  the  Latter-day 


ISO 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Saints  today.  It  was  only  two  and  a 
half  years  after  the  organization  of 
the  Church,  even  though  the  mem- 
bership was  small  and  had  limited 
means,  they  were  nevertheless  com- 
manded of  the  Lord  to  build  the 
temple,  and  it  was  built  in  Kirt- 
land.  The  temple  in  Kirtland  holds 
a  peculiar  place  in  the  annals  of 
temple  building.  It  was  built  pri- 
marily for  the  restoration  of  the 
keys  and  authority  which  were 
held  and  exercised  in  all  other  dis- 
pensations formerly.  Not  only  did 
Jesus  condescend  to  appear  to 
Joseph  and  Oliver  and  graciously 
accept  it  as  his  house  built  by  their 
hands,  but  as  the  record  further 
shows  us: 

"After  this  vision  closed,  the 
heavens  were  again  opened  unto 
us;  and  Moses  appeared  before  us, 
and  committed  unto  us  the  keys  of 
the  gathering  of  Israel  from  the 
four  parts  of  the  earth,  and  the 
leading  of  the  ten  tribes  from  the 
land  of  the  north. 

"After  this,  Elias  appeared,  and 
committed  the  dispensation  of  the 
gospel  of  Abraham,  saying  that  in 
us  and  our  seed  all  generations  after 
us  should  be  blessed. 

"And  after  this  vision  had  closed, 
another  great  and  glorious  vision 
burst  upon  us;  for  Elijah  the 
prophet,  who  was  taken  into  heaven 
without  tasting  death,  stood  before 
us,  and  said: 

"Behold,  the  time  has  fully  come, 
which  was  spoken  of  by  the  mouth 
of  Malachi— testifying  that  he  [Eli- 
jah] should  be  sent,  before  the 
great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord 
come— 

"To  turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers 
to  the  children,  and  the  children  tb 
the  fathers,  lest  the  whole  earth 
be  smitten  with  a  curse— 

"Therefore  [how  significant  this 
is  today],  the  keys  of  this  dispen- 
sation are  committed  into  your 
hands;  and  by  this  ye  may  know 
that  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of 
the  Lord  is  near,  even  at  the  doors." 
(D&C  110:11-16.) 

That  glorious  event,  my  brothers 
and  sisters,  can  be  compared  with 
only  few  such  events,  and  it  was  the 
grand  beginning  of  the  blessings 
that  were  to  be  poured  out  and 
which  will  be  climaxed  in  due  time 
by  the  coming  of  the  Savior.  In 
this  dispensation  fifteen  temples 
have  been  built.  During  his  ad- 
ministration President  McKay  has 


envisioned  and  seen  to  it  that  one 
third  of  those  fifteen  have  been 
erected.  God  knew  when  to  send 
this  great  man  and  placed  him  in 
his  position,  for  he  has  always  been 
temple-minded. 

This  building  is  majestic  and 
beautiful  in  design  and  in  structure, 
but  in  a  real  sense  this  grandeur 
lies  not  in  its  lovely  features  but  in 
the  divinely  given  ordinances  which 
will  be  administered  here  to  bless 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  God,  the 
living  and  the  deceased— blessings 
which  no  man-made  organization 
can  provide. 

There  are  those  in  the  world  who 
minimize  the  importance  of  temple 
building  and  the  necessity  for 
temple  work.  There  are  many  in  the 
world  who  do  believe  it  not  at  all, 
and  yet,  it  has  been  revealed 
again  and  is  indispensable  to  the 
salvation  and  exaltation  both  of  the 
living  and  of  the  dead.  The  disbelief 
of  ten  million  men  does  not  change 
the  fact!  The  ordinances  adminis- 
tered by  the  power  of  the  priest- 
hood will,  as  has  been  predicted, 
save  the  earth  from  being  utterly 
wasted  at  the  coming  of  tine  Lord. 
If  it  were  not  so,  his  purposes  would 
be  thwarted  or  at  least  delayed,  and 
we  are  told  by  him  that  his  pur- 
poses and  designs  will  not  be  frus- 
trated, but  that  it  is  only  the  de- 
signs and  purposes  of  man  that  will 
be  frustrated.  So  we  might  ask  why, 
why  are  these  temples  built? 

May  I  turn  to  the  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  for  a  moment  and  read 
a  few  verses  from  here  and  there  in 
regard  to  it?  In  1834  while  the 
Kirtland  Temple  was  in  the  process 
of  erection,  the  Lord  in  a  revelation 
said  this: 

".  .  .  and  that  my  people  may  be 
taught  more  perfectly,  and  have 
experience,  and  know  more  per- 
fectly concerning  their  duty,  and 
the  things  which  I  require  at  their 
hands. 

".  .  .  behold  I  have  prepared  a 
great  endowment  and  blessing  to 
be  poured  out  upon  them,  inas- 
much as  they  are  faithful  and  con- 
tinue in  humility  before  me.  .  .  . 

"And  Zion  cannot  be  built  up 
unless  it  is  by  the  principles  of  the 
law  of  the  celestial  kingdom;  other- 
wise I  cannot  receive  her  unto  my- 
self." (D&C  105:10,  12,  5.) 

That  to  me  is  a  highly  significant 
truth.  We  cannot  prepare  the  king- 
dom for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  un- 


less we  have  learned  to  live  here 
according  to  the  laws  that  operate 
in  the  celestial  kingdom.  And  where 
are  these  laws  taught?  In  no  other 
place  but  in  what  I  call  the  "uni- 
versity of  the  Lord,"  where  the 
higher  ordinances  of  the  priest- 
hood, the  ordinances  that  pertain  to 
celestial  life  are  expounded  and  are 
received,  and  I  hope  are  lived  by 
those  who  come  to  the  temple. 
When  the  Saints  moved  to  Nauvoo 
only  ten  years  or  so  after  the  Kirt- 
land Temple  was  completed,  the 
Lord  again  commanded  them  to 
build  a  house  unto  his  name  in 
Nauvoo,  and  gave  the  reason  when 
he  said, 

".  .  .  verily  I  say  unto  you,  let 
this  house  be  built  unto  my  name, 
that  I  may  reveal  mine  ordinances 
therein  to  my  people; 

"For  I  deign  to  reveal  unto  my 
church  things  which  have  been 
kept  hid  from  before  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  things  that  per- 
tain to  the  dispensation  of  the  ful- 
ness of  times."  (Ibid.,  124:40-41.) 

And  then  he  here  answered  the 
question  which  is  so  often  asked  by 
people  who  are  thinking  about  the 
temple  or  studying  about  it:  Where 
did  these  ordinances  come  from? 
How  were  they  received?  The 
answer  is  given  very  briefly  in  the 
next  verse: 

"And  I  will  show  unto  my  servant 
Joseph  all  things  pertaining  to  this 
house,  and  the  priesthood  thereof 
[I  would  take  that  to  mean  the 
operation  of  the  priesthood  thereof], 
and  the  place  whereon  it  shall  be 
built.  (Ibid.,  124:42.) 

Again  explaining  why  it  is  neces- 
sary to  have  temples,  the  Lord  re- 
vealed this:  "I  command  you  again 
to  build  a  house  to  my  name,  even 
in  this  place,  [and  then  the  reason] 
that  you  may  prove  yourselves  unto 
me  that  you  are  faithful  in  all 
tilings  whatsoever  I  command  you, 
that  I  may  bless  you,  and  crown 
you  with  honor,  immortality,  and 
eternal  life."  (Ibid.,  124:55.) 

How  wonderful  it  is  to  have 
these  holy  places  in  which  to  come 
and  learn  the  marvelous  purposes 
of  the  Lord.  He  has  given  us  full 
evidence  of  the  reasons  for  temples 
in  another  revelation,  felling  us  that 
after  the  earth  has  filled  the  meas- 
ure of  its  creation  and  its  purposes, 
it  shall  be  sanctified  and  glorified 
and  made  a  fit  abode  for  those  who 
can  earn  a  celestial  life  (see  ibid., 


FEBRUARY   1965 


131 


88:17-19);  that  those  "who  are  of 
the  celestial  kingdom  may  possess 
it  forever  and  ever;  for,  for  this 
intent  was  it  [the  earth]  made  and 
created,  and  for  this  intent  are  they 
sanctified."  (Ibid.,  88:20.) 

Now  notice  this:  "And  they  who 
were  not  sanctified  through  the  law 
which  I  have  given  unto  you,  even 
the  law  of  Christ,  must  inherit  an- 
other kingdom,  even  that  of  a  ter- 
restrial kingdom,  or  that  of  a  teles- 
tial  kingdom. 

"For  he  who  is  not  able  to  abide 
by  the  law  of  a  celestial  kingdom 
cannot  abide  a  celestial  glory." 
(Ibid.,  88:21-22.) 

There's  the  key!  We  are  taught 
in  these  holy  temples  the  laws  of 
the  celestial  kingdom,  so  that  we 
may  not  lose  the  divine  bless- 
ings that  are  awaiting  the  faithful. 
So  I  say  as  we  dedicate  this  temple, 


let  us  dedicate  ourselves  and  our 
substance  and  our  time  to  serve  on 
behalf  of  those  who  have  passed 
on;  for  I  doubt  that  any  of  us  will 
bathe  in  much  glory  unless  it  is 
that  we  have  made  possible  that 
same  glory  for  others  who  have  not 
the  opportunity  themselves.  What 
must  be  done  then? 

Our  duty  is  clear:  We  must  seek 
the  records  of  our  dead;  we  must 
record  them  properly  and  accur- 
ately and  have  them  cleared 
through  the  Genealogical  Society. 
When  the  names  are  received,  we 
must  act  in  their  behalf.  Now  we 
all  know  this,  my  plea  is  that  we  do 
it.  I  close  my  remarks  with  a  similar 
admonition  by  the  Prophet  Joseph 
Smith  in  his  epistle  recorded  in  the 
128th  section  of  the  Doctrine  and 
Covenants: 

"Brethren,"  he  said,  and  he  was 


speaking  of  baptism  for  the  dead 
and  the  salvation  for  the  dead, 
"Brethren,  shall  we  not  go  on  in  so 
great  a  cause?  Go  forward  and  not 
backward.  Courage,  brethren;  and 
on,  on  to  the  victory!  Let  your 
hearts  rejoice,  and  be  exceedingly 
glad.  Let  the  earth  break  forth  into 
singing.  Let  the  dead  speak  forth 
anthems  of  eternal  praise  to  the 
King  Immanuel,  who  hath  or- 
dained, before  the  world  was,  that 
which  would  enable  us  to  redeem 
them  from  out  of  their  prison;  for 
the  prisoners  shall  go  free."  (Ibid., 
128:22.)  May  the  bishoprics  and 
stake  presidencies  and  the  other 
leaders  be  leaders  in  this  respect 
and  may  all  others  be  ready  and 
willing  to  follow  them  and  come  to 
the  house  of  the  Lord  that  the  dead 
may  be  redeemed,  I  pray  humbly 
iri  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


SEEK  FIRST  THE 
KINGDOM  OF  GOD 


•  My  brethren  and  sisters,  this  is  a 
time  to  count  our  blessings,  a  won- 
derfully historic  occasion,  a  time 
that  in  retrospect  we  will  look  upon 
with  much  joy  and  happiness.  I'm 
grateful  for  the  presence  of  Presi- 
dent David  O.  McKay.  I  know  how 
determined  he  has  been  to  attend 
and  participate  in  the  dedication 
of  this  temple.  He  has  done  much 
in  its  planning,  and  it  is  fitting  for 
him  to  be  here,  for  us  to  be  blessed 
with  his  presence,  for  him  to  speak 
to  us  and  to  dedicate  this  lovely 
edifice  unto  our  Lord  for  sacred 
and  holy  purposes. 

I  bear  testimony  that  Jesus  lives. 
I  know  he  is  our  Redeemer.  I  bear 
testimony  to  the  work  of  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  God  called  and  ordained 
him  in  the  heavens  above,  that  he 
came  and,  being  true  to  his  trust, 
the  Lord  committed  to  him  the  keys 
and  the  powers  to  establish  this 
great  latter-day  work  of  his  king- 
dom. I  know  all  who  have  suc- 
ceeded the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  as 
prophet-leaders  of  this  Church 
were  divinely  called,  that  God  has 
been  with  tnem,  and  that  God  is 


DELBERT    L.    STAPLEY 

OF  THE   COUNCIL   OF  THE  TWELVE 

with  our  beloved  President  David 
O.  McKay  today.  I  know  that  he  is 
inspired  in  the  responsibilities  of 
his  great  office.  We  have  evidences 
of  that  so  much  as  we  associate 
with  him  and  hear  him  so  often 
say,  "Brethren,  this  is  what  the 
Lord  wants." 

So,  again  I  count  my  blessings: 
the  blessing  of  church  member- 
ship, the  blessing  of  service,  and  the 
opportunity  to  enjoy  all  of  these 
sacred  temple  ordinances  which  are 
so  vital  to  the  eternal  welfare  and 
happiness  of  mankind. 

Monday  evening  Sister  Stapley 
and  I  were  invited  to  come  out  and 
view  the  temple  at  night.  We  took 
advantage  of  that  opportunity.  We 
had  hardly  left  the  motel  when  this 
lovely  temple  standing  here  on  the 
hill  lighted  up  so  beautifully  could 
be  seen  for  miles  around,  a  homing 
place,  I'm  sure,  not  only  to  us  who 
are  not  acquainted  with  the  area, 
but  also  to  those  who  live  here.  It 
is  a  guiding  landmark  and  a  hom- 
ing place  to  learn  about  the  gospel 
and  become  acquainted  with  the 
holy  ordinances  which  pertain  to 
the  house  of  the  Lord. 


When  we  arrived  and  entered 
the  gate  out  front  and  caught  our 
first  full  view  of  the  temple  with 
all  of  its  charming  lighting  effects, 
it  was  a  thrilling  sight,  brethren  and 
sisters.  I  couldn't  help  just  sitting 
there  gazing  and  admiring  its 
beauty.  If  it  appealed  to  me  that 
way,  I'm  sure  it  would  appeal  to 
those  who  are  not  members  of  the 
Church.  I  think  my  first  reaction 
was,  What  a  show  place  this  is, 
then  another  quick  thought,  It  is 
but  a  symbol,  a  stirring,  motivating 
glimpse  of  the  glory  which  is  with- 
in the  walls  of  this  sacred  edifice. 

As  I  have  visited  the  interior  of 
the  temple,  again  I  realize  that 
what  I  saw  on  the  outside,  beautiful 
landscaping,  effective  lighting,  is 
but  a  reflection  of  all  that  is  holy 
and  sacred  here  on  the  inside.  The 
pleasing  appearance  of  the  temple 
and  the  temple  grounds  is  indica- 
tive of  the  beauty  and  spiritual 
grandeur  within.  All  is  in  harmony 
with  the  sacred  and  divine  purposes 
of  God's  sanctuaries.  The  inscrip- 
tion "Holiness  unto  the  Lord"  over 
the  entrance  expresses  beautifully 
the  sacred  character  of  the  temple 


132 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


work  and  service.  It  seems  to  me 
that  this  temple  stands  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Church  in  this  the 
San  Francisco  Bay  area.  It  is  here 
to  bless  people.  It  is  here  where  we 
can  come  not  only  to  do  work  for 
ourselves  and  for  our  dead,  but 
also  to  meditate  upon  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  to  meditate  upon  the 
purpose  of  life,  to  make  resolves  to 
bring  our  lives  in  harmony  with  the 
divine  will. 

I  would  like  to  express  a  few 
thoughts  which  have  come  to  me 
as  I  have  listened  to  the  speakers 
and  the  dedicatory  prayer.  All  the 
things  that  we  have  heard  here  are 
good.  I  am  sure  all  of  us  have  made 
resolves  in  our  own  hearts  that  we 
will  bring  our  lives  more  in  har- 
mony with  the  divine  will.  I  have 
made  that  resolve;  if  I  can  be  more 
effective  in  my  work,  I  will  try 
very  hard  to  do  so.  All  the  impres- 
sive things  said  here  have  indicated 
to  me  that  our  first  allegiance  as 
members  of  the  Church  is  to  the 
Church  itself. 

The  Savior  said,  ".  .  .  seek  ye 
first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his 
righteousness;  .  .  ."  (Matt.  6:33.) 
The  Savior  himself  placed  the  king- 
dom of  God  first,  and  in  placing 
it  first  he  so  lived,  he  so  acted,  he 
so  accomplished,  setting  a  wonder- 
ful example  to  all  of  us  to  give  our 
allegiance  first  to  the  Church  and 
kingdom  of  our  God. 

The  Apostle  Paul  said,  "For  I 
am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ:  for  it  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation.  ..."  (Rom.  1:16.) 
Brothers  and  sisters,  we  should 
never  be  ashamed  of  the  Church. 
It  is  the  greatest  thing  we  have  in 
life.  There  isn't  anything  to  com- 
pare with  it.  I  am  sure  we  are  not 
ashamed  of  the  gospel,  for,  like  the 
Apostle  Paul,  we  know  that  it  is 
the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 
And  if  we  are  not  ashamed  of  it, 
then  we  should  not  be  ashamed  to 
teach  it.  And  if  we  are  not  ashamed 
to  teach  it,  we  should  not  be 
ashamed  to  live  it.  The  power  of 
our  example  is  our  most  effective 
teaching  tool.  If  people  see  what 
the  benefits  of  the  gospel  have  done 
for  us  in  our  lives,  they  will  desire 
to  enjoy  the  same  opportunities,  the 
same  blessings  that  you  and  I  en- 
joy. And  then  in  so  living  we  make 
ourselves  worthy  for  the  blessings 
of  God's  temples,  where  we  can 
prepare  ourselves  for  eternal  glory, 


which  is  the  greatest  of  God's  gifts 
to  his  children. 

We  cannot  give  first  allegiance  to 
the  Church  and  divide  our  talents, 
abilities,  and  time  in  the  affairs  of 
men.  The  Savior  said,  "No  man 
can  serve  two  masters:  for  either 
he  will  hate  the  one,  and  love  the 
other;  or  else  he  will  hold  to  the 
one,  and  despise  the  other.  Ye  can- 
not serve  God  and  mammon." 
(Matt.  6:24.)  And  how  true  that 
is,  brothers  and  sisters.  I  have  seen 
in  those  who  give  themselves  com- 
pletely to  politics  that  their  politi- 
cal affiliation  and  devotion  to  this 
great  public  interest  ofttimes  less- 
ens their  church  activities  and 
devotion. 

I  am  not  talking  against  our  peo- 
ple interesting  themselves  in  public 
office  and  running  for  public  office. 
I  think  we  should  do  so.  We  should 
have  a  voice  in  government.  The 
principles,  standards,  and  ideals  of 
the  gospel  which  we  know  are  true 
should  be  carried  with  us  into 
public  affairs  so  that  our  voices 
might  be  heard,  and  it  can  be  rec- 
ognized that  we  stand  firmly  for 
that  which  God  has  revealed. 

The  Lord  has  counseled  that  we 
should  be  interested  in  good,  wise, 
and  honest  men  for  public  office. 
He  has  not  tied  us  to  any  political 
organization.  Those  who  seek  pub- 
lic office  must  affiliate  themselves 
with  one  of  the  two  national  politi- 
cal parties,  but  that  doesn't  mean 
one  must  go  along  one  hundred 
percent  with  a  political  organiza- 
tion or  party  if  it  is  not  promoting 
that  which  is  right  and  best  in 
policy,  principle,  or  standard  for 
the  people  it  seeks  to  represent. 

The  Lord  has  stated  that  the 
Constitution  of  this  great  land 
should  be  upheld.  I've  often  thought 
that  there  isn't  much  difference 
really  between  the  Constitution  of 
this  land  and  the  Ten  Command- 
ments the  Lord  gave  Moses,  be- 
cause both  are  given  of  God.  The 
Ten  Commandments  through  the 
centuries  have  not  been  changed, 
and  I  think  the  Lord  doesn't  in- 
tend to  change  the  Constitution  un- 
til Christ  returns  again  and  the 
kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the 
kingdom  of  our  God,  and  Christ 
shall  rule  over  them. 

I  think  we  cannot  divide  our 
attention  between  the  orders  and 
societies  of  men  because  the  work 
of  the  kingdom  is  too  important 


today.  We  heard  yesterday  and  to- 
day about  the  closeness  of  our 
Lord's  second  coming.  As  President 
Brown  put  it,  we  are  134  years 
closer  now  to  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  than  the  time  this  Church 
was  organized  in  the  year  1830. 
Again,  our  first  allegiance  should 
be  to  the  Church,  and*  it  is  entitled 
to  our  full  devotion,  our  good 
works,  our  time,  and  our  talents. 

I  know,  however,  there  are  many 
of  our  people  who  are  interesting 
themselves  in  man-made  institu- 
tions, and  I  sincerely  feel  we  must 
be  careful  in  this  regard.  Man-made 
organizations  do  not  have  the  gos- 
pel plan  of  life  and  salvation  as 
we  have  in  the  Church.  They  do 
not  have  the  God-revealed  plan 
of  life.  For  many  men  such  organi- 
zations are  an  outlet  and  an  op- 
portunity for  them  to  serve  their 
fellow  beings.  We  would  say:  The 
Lord  bless  you  in  the  service  you 
give  to  these  well-intended  man- 
made  institutions.  But  as  far  as  the 
membership  of  the  Church  is  con- 
cerned, it  seems  to  me,  again  be- 
cause of  the  importance  of  our 
work  in  this  the  last  dispensation  of 
God's  providence  to  man,  that  we 
should  give  our  full  devotion  and 
our  full  effort  in  spreading  the 
gospel  message  of  peace  and  salva- 
tion to  all  people  throughout  all  the 
world.  This  is  the  responsibility  of 
the  latter-day  kingdom  of  our  God 
as  I  understand  it  to  be. 

Again,  we  cannot  afford  to  di- 
vide our  attention  and  our  alle- 
giance between  the  things  of  man 
and  the  things  of  God.  Sometimes 
if  we  do  so  it  comes  in  conflict,  and 
then  it's  a  matter  of  choosing,  and 
unless  we  are  strongly  grounded 
in  the  faith,  we  might  choose  un- 
wisely. Our  path  of  safety,  my 
brethren  and  sisters,  is  in  this 
Church  of  our  Lord. 

Now,  this  leads  to  another 
thought  which  was  expressed  by 
President  David  O.  McKay  in  one 
of  the  recent  general  conferences 
of  the  Church,  that  we  should  work 
for  the  glory  of  God  in  our  per- 
sonal lives.  Our  Savior  is  the  great 
example  to  us  in  this  respect,  for 
he  came,  he  said,  not  to  do 
".  .  .  mine  own  will,  but  the  will 
of  the  Father  which  hath  sent  me." 
(John  5:30.)  At  the  age  of  twelve 
he  was  found  by  his  parents  in  the 
temple  asking  and  answering  ques- 
tions of  the  learned.  When  he  came 


FEBRUARY   1B65 


133 


to  John  the  Baptist  to  be  baptized 
of  him,  he  glorified  his  Heavenly 
Father  by  obedience  to  this  gospel 
ordinance.  After  he  received  this 
sacred  ordinance  of  the  gospel, 
which  he  did  in  order  to  fulfil  all 
righteousness,  the  heavens  were 
opened,  and  a  voice  declared,  "This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleased."  (Matt.  3:17.) 

Later  he  was  tempted  of  Satan, 
and  Satan  offered  him  the  king- 
doms of  the  world  and  all  the  glory 
of  them  if  he  would  just  bow  down 
and  worship  him.  This  our  Lord 
refused  to  do;  he  realized  the  im- 
portance of  his  mission,  the  work 
that  his  Father  had  given  him  to 
do,  and  having  that  knowledge  and 
that  faith,  he  resisted  the  tempta- 
tion, and  God  honored  him  by  send- 
ing angels  to  minister  unto  him. 

The  Lord  honored  him  again 
when  Peter,  James,  and  John  went 
with  him  on  the  Mount  of  Trans- 
figuration and  Moses  and  Elias 
appeared  to  them.  And  when  he 
permitted  himself  to  be  crucified 
between  two  thieves,  giving  his  life 
to  atone  for  the  sins  of  man  and  to 
redeem  them  from  the  effects  of 
the  fall,  with  hope  of  salvation  and 
exaltation,  he  fulfilled  worthily 
this  assignment  of  his  Father.  He 
permitted  man  to  take  his  life  when 
he  had  the  power  to  prevent  it. 


Again  he  honored  and  glorified  his 
Father.  When  he  broke  the  bands 
of  death  and  came  forth  from  the 
tomb  and  was  received  up  into  the 
heavens,  God  honored  him  by  plac- 
ing him  upon  his  right  hand  and 
gave  him  all  power  and  dominion. 
Our  Savior,  therefore,  is  our  great 
and  true  example,  brothers  and 
sisters,  as  we  work  toward  the  glory 
of  God  in  our  personal  lives.  To  me 
this  dedication  to  duty  and  pur- 
poses ties  in  effectively  with  the 
Christ's  statement,  ".  .  .  seek  ye  first 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  right- 
eousness; .  .  ."  (Matt.  6:33),  mean- 
ing our  first  allegiance  is  to  The 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter- 
day  Saints. 

I  think  of  the  parable  of  the  vine 
which  the  Savior  gave;  there  isn't 
time  to  review  it,  except  to  quote 
what  the  Savior  said,  that  ".  .  .  He 
that  abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him, 
the  same  bringeth  forth  much 
fruit:  ..."  (John  15:5)  and  then 
ended  his  parable  by  saying,  "Here- 
in is  my  Father  glorified,  that  ye 
bear  much  fruit;  so  shall  ye  be  my 
disciples."  (Ibid.,  15:8.)  We,  there- 
fore, glorify  our  Heavenly  Father 
by  bringing  forth  good  fruits.  We 
cannot  glorify  ourselves,  but  in 
glorifying  God  by  doing  his  will, 
keeping  his  commandments,  and 
proving  ourselves  faithful  and  true, 


then  God  in  turn  will  glorify  us  as 
he  glorified  his  Beloved  Son,  our 
Savior.  I  reemphasize,  brothers 
and  sisters,  that  our  first  allegiance 
is  to  the  Church.  We  work  to 
glorify  God  in  our  personal  lives  by 
doing  the  things  that  our  Heavenly 
Father  would  have  us  do,  even  as 
Christ  glorified  his  Father  in  his 
personal  life. 

This  is  our  great  responsibility. 
This  gospel  is  to  be  preached  in  all 
the  world  as  a  witness  unto  all  na- 
tions, and  then  the  end  shall 
come.  This  Church  has  the  re- 
sponsibility of  preparing  the  people 
of  the  Church  and  of  the  world  for 
the  glorious  second  coming  of  our 
Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.  Here 
in  the  temples  the  lessons  of  life 
are  taught  us.  We  understand  the 
will  and  purpose  of  God.  We  know 
what  is  expected  of  us.  It  is  impor- 
tant that  we  return  to  the  temple 
as  often  as  we  can  and  be  re- 
minded of  the  sacred  nature  of  the 
covenants  and  the  obligations  we 
have  received.  They  become  a 
safeguard  and  a  protection  to  us. 
Therefore,  it  is  important  that  we 
refresh  our  memories  and  keep  be- 
fore us  always  the  sacred  nature  of 
these  covenants  and  obligations.  I 
bear  witness  to  the  truth  of  these 
things  and  do  it  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


"ACCEPT  O  LORD,  OUR 

OFFERING 
OF  THIS  HOUSE  " 


SPENCER    W.    KIMBALL 

OF  THE   COUNCIL   OF   THE   TWELVE 


#  President  McKay  and  beloved 
brothers  and  sisters:  For  twenty- 
one  years  now  I  have  been  under 
the  influence  of  this  great  prophet 
who  sits  with  us  today.  I  have  been 
exalted  under  his  personality  and 
inspired  under  his  prophetic  leader- 
ship, and  again  now  for  three  days 
we  have  sat  together  in  this  holy 
edifice,  and  I  feel  to  sing  again 
and  again:  "We  Thank  Thee,  O 
God,  for  a  Prophet." 

Yesterday  as  President  McKay 
was  telling  the  story  of  doubting 
Thomas,  it  took  me  back  twenty- 


one  years  when  I  came  into  his 
office,  frightened,  apprehensive, 
and  in  awe;  and  as  we  stood  to- 
gether in  his  room  and  as  he  gently 
laid  his  hand  on  my  shoulder,  he 
told  me  the  story  of  Thomas  and  of 
his  doubts  and  his  fear  and  mis- 
givings. I  had  come  feeling  quite 
totally  inadequate  for  the  great 
work  to  which  I  had  just  been 
called,  but  when  I  felt  the  slight 
pressure  of  his  hand  on  my  shoulder 
and  he  looked  into  my  eyes  and 
gave  me  this  story  of  Thomas,  it 
gave  me  courage. 


As  the  choirs  have  sung  in  each 
session,  "may  our  offering  by  him 
be  accepted,"  I  thought  how  sad 
and  terrifying  it  would  be  should 
our  Lord  not  be  willing  to  accept 
this  offering.  Then  I  remembered 
back  in  church  history  when  Presi- 
dent Brigham  Young  wrote  a  letter 
to  President  George  A.  Smith  who 
was  then  in  Washington,  DC;  this 
was  in  1857,  and  he  said,  "The 
bread  and  cup  we  have  withheld 
from  the  Saints  for  some  months  to 
afford  them  space  and  time  for 
repentance,   restitution   and  when 


134 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    EPA 


ready  for  a  renewal  of  their  cove- 
nants." Suppose  he  should  withhold 
from  us  our  privileges— Sacrament 
meetings,  stake  conferences,  the 
Sacrament  itself,  our  assemblies. 
Suppose  he  would  not  permit  us  to 
open  these  temples.  Sometimes  we 
appreciate  our  blessings  by  our 
deprivations.  When  we  hear  ex- 
communicahts  beg  and  plead  for 
the  return  Of  privileges  of  partaking 
the  bread  and  water,  of  wearing  the 
garments,  of  attending  their  meet- 
ings, and  of  asking  and  answering 
questions,  even,  in  the  assemblies 
of  the  Saints*  then  we  begin  to  real- 
ize, perhaps,  the  great  blessings 
that  we  do  enjoy. 

It  is  comforting  to  have  the 
prophet  of  the  Lord  ahead  of  us, 
leading  us  with  the  light  of  revela- 
tion which  dispels  darkness.  The 
Prophet  Amos  said, 

"Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the 
Lord  God,  that  I  will  seiid  a  famine 
in  the  land,  not  a  famine  of  bread, 
nor  a  thirst  for  water,  but  of  hear- 
ing the  words  df  the  Lord; 

"And  they  shall  wander  from  sea 
to  sea,  and  from  the  north  even 
unto  the  east,  they  shall  run  to  and 
fro  to  seek  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
and  shall  not  find  it."  (Amos  8:11- 
12.) 

Then  the  Prophet  Isaiah  said,  as 
he  envisioned  this  loss  of  prophetib 
leadership,  "We  grope  for  the  wall 
like  the  blind,  and  we  grope  as  if 
we  had  no  eyes:  we  stumble  at 
noon  day,  as  in  the  night;  we  are 
in  desolate  places  as  dead  men." 
(Isa.  59:10.)  Then  I  realized  how 
you  and  I  are  so  blessed  in  this 
glorious  day,  so  greatly  blessed  to 
have  the  light  of  the  gospel  and  in- 
spired leadership  which  is  not  de- 
ceived nor  led  astray.  We  have  the 
revelations  of  God,  and  they  are 
constant. 

In  a  statement  of  one  of  the  early 
brethren,  he  said  that: 

"Some  have  deceived  themselves 
with  the  idea  that  because  revela- 
tions have  not  been  written  and 
published,  therefore  there  has  been 
a  lessening  of  power  of  the  Church 
of  Christ.  This  is  a  very  great  mis- 
take. .  .  ."  (GeOrge  Q.  Cannon, 
Gospel  Truths,  p.  328. ) 

And  again  he  said : 

"Read  the  discourses  of  the  First 
Presidency  and  the  Twelve,  and 
you  will  see  that  they  are  filled 
with  revelation,  with  light,  with 
knowledge/Avith  wisdom,  and  with 


good  counsel  unto  this  people. 
Have  this  people  ever  seen  the  day 
when  the  counsel  of  God's  servants 
has  not  been  sufficient  to  guide 
them  in  the  midst  of  difficulties? 
No;  we  never  have.  There  has  not 
been  a  single  minute  that  this 
people  has  been  left  without  the 
voice  of  God;  there  has  not  been  a 
single  rriinute  since  this  Church  was 
founded  to  this  time  that  the  power 
of  God  has  hot  been  plainly  mani- 
fested in  our  midst.  .  .  ."  (Ibid., 
p.  332.)  And  revelation,  of  course, 
dispels  the  mysteries  and  clears 
them  up. 

As  the  brethren  in  previous  ses- 
sions have  talked  about  the  Taber- 
nacle in  the  wilderness  and  temples 
at  various  times,  I  was  reminded 
that  the  Lord  did  accept  those 
edifices.  The  one  in  the  wilderness 
had  been  covered  by  a  cloud  in  the 
day  and  fire  by  night  "and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  filled  the  tabernacle." 
(See  Exod.  40:34-35,  38.)  And  then 
again  in  later  days,  the  Lord  said, 
"I  have  hallowed  this  house,  which 
thou  hast  built,  to  put  my  name 
there  for  ever;  and  mine  eyes  and 
mine  heart  shall  be  there  per- 
petually." (1  Kings  9:3.) 

And  then  he  said,  "Let  the  hearts 
of  your  brethren  rejoice,  and  let 
the  hearts  of  all  my  people  rejoice, 
who  have,  with  their  might,  built 
this  house  to  my  name. 

"For  behold,  I  have  accepted  this 
house,  and  my  name  shall  be  here; 
.  .  ."  (D&C  110:6-7)  and  that  was 
the  Rutland  Temple.  And  then  I 
noted  that  each  temple  in  its  turn 
was  received  by  the  Lord. 

En  route  to  this  temple,  which 
has  been  this  week  dedicated,  I 
found  this  little  statement  from 
Brigham  Young  in  which  he  said, 
speaking  of  the  Salt  Lake  Temple: 
"I  have  not  inquired  what  kind  of 
a  Temple  we  should  build.  Why? 
Because  it  was  represented  before 
me.  I  have  never  looked  upon  that 
ground,  but  the  vision  of  it  was 
there.  I  see  it  as  plainly  as  if  it  was 
in  reality  before  me,  ...  I  will  say, 
however,  that  it  will  have  six 
towers,  to  begin  with,  instead  of 
one.  Now  do  not  any  of  you  aposta- 
tize because  it  will  have  six  towers, 
and  Joseph  only  built  one.  It  is 
easier  for  us  to  build  sixteen,  than 
it  was  for  him  to  build  one.  The 
time  will  come  when  there  will  be 
one  in  the  center  of  Temples  we 
shall  build,  and,  on  the  top,  groves 


and  fish  ponds.  But  we  shall  not 
see  them  here,  at  present."  (JD,  1, 
113;  also  Discourses  of  Brigham 
Young,  p.  410. )  This  temple  has  A 
tower  in  the  center.  It  is  to  the 
President  to  receive  the  revelation 
for  the  construction  of  a  temple. 
It  is  for  the  people  to  build  the 
temple,  and  then  it  is  for  the  people 
to  dwell  in  and  work  in  the  temple 
of  the  Lord. 

It  is  necessary,  of  course,  that  we 
be  worthy  to  come  into  the  temple. 
And  one  of  my  favorite  series  of 
scriptures  I  should  like  briefly  to 
mention  here.  After  John  had  had 
his  marvelous  revelation  and  had 
seen  the  Savior,  then  he  carried 
forward  with  a  plea  to  all  of  us 
in  ancient  and  modern  days,  and 
he  said,  ".  .  .  To  him  that  overcom- 
eth  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of 
life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God."  (Rev.  2:7.) 

Again,  "He  that  overcometh  shall 
not  be  hurt  of  the  second  death." 
(Ibid.,  2:11.) 

"To  him  that  overcometh  will  I 
give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna, 
and  will  give  him  a  white  stone, 
and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  writ- 
ten, which  no  man  knoweth  saving 
he  that  receiveth  it."  (Ibid.,  2:17.) 

And  again  ".  .  .  he  that  overcom- 
eth, and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the 
end,  to  him  will  I  give  power  over 
the  nations: 

"And  he  shall  rule  them  with  a 
rod  of  iron;  .  .  . 

"And  I  will  give  him  the  morning 
star."  (Ibid.,  2:26-28.) 

"He  that  overcometh,  the  same 
shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment; 
and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name 
out  of  the  book  of  life,  but  I  will 
confess  his  name  before  my  Father, 
and  before  his  angels."  (Ibid.,  3:5. ) 

He  said  to  the  people  of  Sardis, 
"Thou  hast  a  few  names  even  in 
Sardis  which  have  not  defiled  their 
garments;  and  they  shall  walk  with 
me  in  white:  for  they  are  worthy." 
(Ibid.,  3:4.) 

"Him  that  overcometh  will  I 
make  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my 
God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out: 
and  I  will  write  upon  him  the  name 
of  my  God,  and  the  name  of  the  city 
of  my  God,  which  is  new  Jerusalem, 
which  cometh  down  out  of  heaven 
from  my  God:  and  I  will  write 
upon  him  my  new  name."  (Ibid., 
3:12.) 

Brothers  and  sisters,  may  we  fol- 


FEBRUARY    1965 


13S 


low  the  leadership  in  this  Church. 
May  we  be  grateful  for  the  in- 
spired, prophetic  leadership  we 
have,  and  may  we  live  worthily  so 
that  we  may  enter  this  and  all  the 
other  temples  to  do  the  work  for 


which  they  have  been  built.  I  bear  one  will  ever  miss  any  privilege  or 

my  testimony  of  the  divinity  of  the  blessing  for  which  he  keeps  him- 

calling  of  this  great  Prophet  who  self  worthy  and  as  he  complies  with 

sits  behind  me  and  of  the  divinity  all  requirements.  I  bear  my  testi- 

of  this,  the  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  mony  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Christ,  and  of  the  assurance  that  no  Amen. 


IN  THIS 

HOLY  HOUSE 


THOMAS  S.  MONSON 

OF  THE  COUNCIL   OF  THE  TWELVE 


•  President  McKay,  my  heart  is  full 
as  I  stand  before  you.  This  day,  my 
brothers  and.  sisters,  I  feel  increas- 
ingly my  dependence  upon  the 
Lord.  This  is  a  most  sacred  and 
solemn  occasion. 

Gracing  the  entrance  to  the  har- 
bor of  New  York  there  stands  a 
massive  statue  of  copper  and  iron, 
a  gift  from  the  people  of  France. 
The  statue  is  a  famous  lady,  a 
torch  held  aloft  in  her  right  arm, 
a  tablet  securely  held  in  her  left. 
Her  name  is  Liberty.  Through  the 
years,  she  has  beckoned  to  many 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  human 
souls  and  held  out  to  them  a  prom- 
ise of  opportunity,  the  blessing  of 
a  new  beginning,  the  vision  of  a 
new  life. 

Inspired  by  this  sight,  the  Ameri- 
can writer  Emma  Lazarus  wrote 
the  immortal  lines  which  are  now 
emblazoned  on  a  stone  tablet  at  the 
main  entrance  to  the  Statue  of 
Liberty. 

"Give  me  your  tired,  your  poor, 

Your  huddled  masses  yearning  to 
breathe  free, 

The  wretched  refuse  of  your  teem- 
ing shore. 

Send  these,  the  homeless,  tempest- 
tossed  to  me, 

I  lift  my  lamp  beside  the  golden 
door!"  ("The  New  Colossus.") 

Today,  on  this  side  of  the  con- 
tinent, within  sight  of  the  entrance 
to  America's  greatest  Pacific  port, 
there  stands  completed  and  dedi- 
cated a  lamp  beside  the  Golden 
Gate.  The  world  will  refer  to  this 
imposing  edifice  as  the  Oakland 
Temple  of  The  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints.  People 
will  marvel  at  the  beauty  of  this 
stately  building,  the  well-manicured 


lawns  and  shrubs  which  adorn  the 
grounds,  and  the  lofty  spires  thrust- 
ing upward  to  the  heavens.  But  to 
those  assembled  here  today,  who 
know  and  appreciate  the  true  pur- 
pose of  the  temple,  we  could  say 
to  the  world,  "That  famous  Statue 
of  Liberty  which  marks  the  en- 
trance to  America's  Atlantic  port 
may  depict  and  symbolize  the  op- 
portunities and  blessings  of  this 
life,  whereas  this  holy  house  brings 
the  hope  of  eternal  opportunities, 
eternal  blessings,  and  eternal  life." 

True  followers  of  the  Savior, 
those  who  really  love  him  and  keep 
his  commandments,  are  vitally  con- 
cerned with  eternity  and  eternal 
things.  As  Paul  declared  to  the 
Corinthians :  "If  in  this  life  only  we 
have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all 
men  most  miserable."  (1  Cor.  15: 
19.) 

In  this  holy  house,  which  by 
revelation  must  be  "...  a  house  of 
prayer,  a  house  of  fasting,  a  house 
of  faith,  a  house  of  learning,  a 
house  of  glory,  a  house  of  order, 
[and]  a  house  of  God";  (D&C  88: 
119)  two  twin  eternal  principles  go 
hand  in  hand—temple  work  for 
one's  self  and  temple  work  for  one's 
kindred  dead. 

A  meaningful  appreciation  for 
these  principles  of  temple  work  can 
best  be  taught  in  the  family  circle. 
Our  homes  are  the  laboratories  of 
our  lives;  what  we  do  there  de- 
termines the  course  of  our  lives. 
Despite  all  new  inventions,  modern 
designs,  fads,  and  fetishes,  no  .one 
has  yet  invented  or  will  ever  invent 
a  satisfying  substitute  for  one's 
own  family. 

Within  the  sanctity  of  the  family 
circle,  we  can  effectively  develop 
an  understanding  and  an  insight 
into  the  faith  and  devotion  which 


prompted  our  forefathers  in  obedi- 
ence to  God's  command  to  give  of 
their  meager  substance,  .the  earnest 
labor  of  their  hands,  and  in  some 
instances  the  sacrifice  of  their  lives 
that  the  Lord's  house  might  be 
properly  built.  It  was  so  at  Kirt- 
land,  at  Nauvoo,  and  at  Salt  Lake 
City  where  forty  years  were  re- 
quired in  the  building  of  the  tem- 
ple. It  has  been  so  elsewhere.  When 
we  truly  appreciate  the  spirit  of  the 
pioneers,  we  desire  to  pattern  our 
lives  after  their  noble  example. 
Would  we  like  to  be  pioneers? 
Would  we  desire  to  leave  such  a 
rich  heritage  to  our  posterity?  Web- 
ster defines  a  pioneer  as  "one  who 
goes  before,  showing  others  the 
way  to  follow."  When  we  worthily 
come  into  the  house  of  God  and 
here  receive  our  endowments  and 
sealing  blessings,  and  when  we 
come  here  regularly  to  perform  the 
work  for  our  kindred  dead,  we  be- 
come pioneers,  because  we  literally 
go  before  our  children  and  show 
them  the  way  to  follow. 

As  Latter-day  Saints  a  great  deal 
is  expected  of  us.  Marriage  after 
the  way  of  man  might  be  satis- 
factory to  the  world,  but  not  to 
Latter-day  Saints,  for  the  Lord  told 
the  Prophet  Joseph,  "For  of  him 
unto  whom  much  is  given  much  is 
required;  and  he  who  sins  against 
the  greater  light  shall  receive  the 
greater  condemnation.  .  .  . 

"I,  the  Lord,  am  bound  when  ye 
do  what  I  say;  but  when  ye  do  not 
what  I  say,  ye  have  no  promise." 
(Ibid.,  82:3,10.) 

How  I  hope  that  all  of  our  young 
people  will  come  to  a  realization 
that  this  is  the  place  where  they 
should  marry.  When  we  truly 
understand  and  appreciate  the  pur- 
pose for  which  temples  are  built, 


136 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


we  will  not  want  to  be  deprived  of 
the  blessing  of  coming  herein. 
When  our  family  units  are  blessed 
by  eternal  covenants,  we  can  avoid 
the  pitfalls  and  the  quicksands  that 
bring  to  ruin  many  marriages,  for 
temple  marriage,  eternal  marriage, 
is  based  on  true  love. 

Our  lives  will  have  some  days 
that  will  be  glorious,  full  of  hope 
and  opportunity,  and  others,  per- 
haps, that  may  be  dismal  and  filled 
with  discouragement.  But  through 
it  all  there  is  no  need  for  anyone  of 
us  to  lose  his  way. 

Recently  I  was  reading  an  ac- 
count of  Francis  Chichester  and 
his  crossing  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
in  mid  1962.  He  was  all  alone  in 
his  28-foot  sailboat,  and  all  around 
him  the  sea  met  the  sky  in  an  un- 
marked horizon.  But  he  was  not 
lost.  He  had  a  compass.  His  course 
was  charted.  The  stars  were  over- 
head. 

The  holy  endowment  that  we  re- 
ceive in  this  temple  or  in  the  other 
temples  can  well  be  the  compass 
for  our  lives.  Our  course,  our 
eternal  course  is  charted  by  the 
scriptures  and  the  voice  and  inspira- 
tion that  have  come  and  continue 
to  come  from  the  heavens  to  God's 
prophets  and,  in  answer  to  humble 
personal  and  family  prayer,  will 
ever  guide  us  back  to  our  eternal 
home.  We  need  but  do  our  part. 
However,  that  ancient  principle  is 
still  true  that  nothing  can  be  had 
for  nothing.  All  blessings  are  predi- 
cated on  obedience  to  law.  "For 
all  who  will  have  a  blessing  at  my 
hands,"  sayeth  the  Lord,  "shall  abide 
the  law  which  was  appointed  for 
that  blessing,  and  the  conditions 
thereof,  as  were  instituted  from 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
(Ibid.,  132.5.) 

Yet  today,  in  the  very  shadows  of 
our  temples,  many  of  our  young 
Latter-day  Saints  are  failing  to 
choose  temple  marriage.  I  am  afraid 
that  some  of  them  are  caught  in  the 
whirlpool  of  status  seeking.  While 
fathers  drive  stately  cars  and 
mothers  open  their  homes  to  ad- 
miring inspection,  some  lose  their 
sons  and  their  daughters,  for  chil- 
dren learn  to  judge  by  the  symbols 
people  display  rather  than  people's 
individual  worth. 

An  appreciation  for  the  temple 
endowment  and  the  sealing  ordi- 
nances will  bring  the  members  of 
our  families   closer  together,   and 


there  will  be  quickened  within  each 
family  member  a  desire  to  make 
available  these  same  blessings  to 
our  loved  ones  who  have  gone 
beyond.  We  will  come  to  say  with 
George  Eliot,  "I  desire  no  future 
that  would  break  the  ties  of  the 
past  for  heaven  would  not  be 
heaven  without  family  and  friends." 
President  Joseph  F.  Smith  ad- 
vised the  Latter-day  Saints,  "This 
gospel  revealed  to  the  Prophet 
Joseph  is  already  being  preached 
to  the  spirits  in  prison,  to  those  who 
have  passed  away  from  this  stage 
of  action  into  the  spirit  world  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  the  gospel. 
Joseph  Smith  is  preaching  that  gos- 


AT   OAKLAND 

BY     8.     D1LWORTH     YOUNG 

Temples  are  for  the  faithful, 
The  believing. 

This  one  stands  to  serve  the  be- 
lieving, 

And  the  faithful. 

Think  now  of  the  unnumbered  dead 
Waiting- 
Waiting  for  their  children 
Or  their  children's  children, 
Or  for  generations  of  children. 

Long  gone  is  time, 
And  some  have  waited  long- 
Are  waiting  now. 
They  see  this  temple  from  their 

spirit  world; 
They  see  their  children  walking  in 

the  dark. 
"How  long,   O  Lord,"  they  seem 

to  say, 
"The  time  is  long— long  gone— 
Since  Malachi  declared  those  fate- 
ful words." 

What,  then,  is  our  part? 
To  seek  the  children  of  those  wait- 
ing ones. 
To  find  them,  teach  them, 
Bring  them  to  the  fold  of  Christ, 
Whose  work  it  is. 

This  done, 

They  will  find  their  place, 
They  will  enter  here, 
And  link  by  link 
Forge  everlasting  bonds 
And  thus  release  to  life— 
To  everlasting  life— 
Their  kindred  dead. 


pel  to  them,  so  is  Hyrum  Smith,  so 
is  Brigham  Young,  and  so  are  all  of 
the  faithful  apostles  that  lived  in 
this  dispensation  under  the  admin- 
istration of  the  Prophet  Joseph." 
(MIA  Conference,  June  5,  1910; 
The  Improvement  Era,  13:1058.) 

And  as  we  here  perform  the  vital 
ordinance  work  for  our  departed 
loved  ones,  President  Smith  said, 
"Through  our  efforts  in  their  behalf 
their  chains  of  bondage  will  fall 
from  them,  and  the  darkness  sur- 
rounding them  will  clear  away,  that 
light  may  shine  upon  them  and  they 
shall  hear  in  the  spirit  world  of  the 
work  that  has  been  done  for  them 
by  their  children  here,  and  will  re- 
joice with  you  in  your  performance 
of  these  duties."  (Conference  Re- 
port, October  1916,  p.  6.) 

This  vicarious  work  must  be  car- 
ried forth  in  the  same  spirit  of 
selfless  devotion  and  sacrifice  that 
characterized  the  life  of  the  Master. 
It  becomes  easier  for  us  to  do  our 
individual  parts  in  this  vital  work 
when  we  remember  that  ".  .  .  God 
so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave 
his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whoso- 
ever believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 
(John  3:16.) 

As  we  leave  this  beautiful  temple 
today,  and  each  time  we  gaze  upon 
this  holy  house,  may  we  be  re- 
minded of  the  eternal  opportunities 
which  are  found  inside,  not  only  for 
ourselves,  but  also  for  our  dead. 

Let  us  be  mindful  that  decisions 
pertaining  to  the  temple  are  eternal 
decisions  with  eternal  consequences. 

In  one  of  Christopher  Marlowe's 
plays,  The  Tragical  History  of  Dr. 
Faustus,  there  is  portrayed  an  indi- 
vidual, Dr.  Faustus,  who  chose  to 
ignore  God  and  follow  the  pathway 
of  Satan.  At  the  end  of  his  wicked 
life  and  facing  the  frustration  of 
opportunities  lost  and  punishment 
certain  to  come,  he  lamented, 
"There  is  a  more  searing  anguish 
than  flaming  fire— eternal  exile 
from  God." 

My  brothers  and  sisters,  just  as 
eternal  exile  from  God  is  the  most 
searing  anguish,  so  eternal  life  in 
the  presence  of  God  is  our  most 
cherished  goal. 

With  all  my  heart  and  soul  I 
pray  that  we  might  persevere  in  the 
pursuit  of  this  most  precious  prize, 
in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Nazareth,  our  Savior,  our  Redeemer 
whom  we  serve.  Amen. 


FEBRUARY   1963 


!37 


"...THE 
LORD  HATH 
SPOKEN..." 


•  Brothers  and  sisters,  I  feel  hum- 
ble in  standing  here  this  day  upon 
this  holy  and  sacred  occasion  and  in 
your  presence  and  in  the  presence 
of  our  prophet. 

Each  of  the  brethren  who  have 
spoken  has  expressed  his  gratitude 
to  the  Lord  that  President  McKay 
has  been  privileged  to  be  with  us 
and  participate  in  these  dedicatory 
services.  I  am  sure  that  each  of  us 
has  had  a  prayer  in  his  heart  for 
a  long  time  that  he  would  have  this 
privilege,  and  the  Lord  has  magni- 
fied him,  and  for  that  we  thank 
him. 

I  feel  to  extend  my  congratula- 
tions to  all  of  you  good  people  and 
those  whom  we  have  met  prior  to 
this  session  and  those  who  will 
follow  for  your  contributions  to  the 
erection  of  this  magnificent  edifice 
to  our  Father  in  heaven. 

I  think  of  the  words  of  the 
Psalmist;  all  of  the  prophets  have 
seen  our  day,  and  in  the  fiftieth 
Psalm  we  read  these  words: 

"The  mighty  God,  even  the  Lord, 
hath  spoken,  and  called  the  earth 
from  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the 
going  down  thereof. 

"Out  of  Zion,  the  perfection  of 
beauty,  God  hath  shined."  (Psalm 
50:1-2.) 

Brother  Monson  has  indicated 
the  impression  that  this  building 
will  make  upon  the  minds  of  the 
people.  Just  think  of  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  who  have  been  here  to 
inspect  it.  Think  of  the  millions 
who  have  been  to  the  church  ex- 
hibit at  the  New  York  World's  Fair. 
The  attitudes  of  people  are  chang- 
ing. "Out  of  Zion,  the  perfection  of 
beauty,"  God  is  shining  to  the 
world  in  the  accomplishments  of  his 
people  and  in  such  things  as  the 
building  of  these  holy  temples  and 
the  great  work  of  our  missionaries. 

I  think  of  the  words  of  President 
Brigham  Young  at  the  laying  of  the 
cornerstone  of  the  Salt  Lake  Tem- 


LEGRAND    RICHARDS 

OF   THE   COUNCIL   OF   THE   TWELVE 

pie,  when  he  made  this  statement: 

"This  morning  we  have  assem- 
bled on  one  of  the  most  solemn, 
interesting,  joyful,  and  glorious  oc- 
casions, that  ever  has  transpired,  or 
will  transpire  among  the  children 
of  men,  while  the  earth  continues 
in  its  present  organization,  ...  an 
occasion  which  has  caused  the 
tongues  and  pens  of  Prophets  to 
speak  and  write  for  many  scores  of 
centuries  which  are  past."  ( Millen- 
nial Star,  July  16,  1853,  p.  450.) 
What  a  statement,  when  we  stop 
to  analyze  it. 

Then  think  of  the  words  of  the 
prophets  such  as  Isaiah.  Imagine 
the  Lord  letting  Isaiah  look  down 
through  the  stream  of  time  over 
three  thousand  years  to  see  the  lat- 
ter days,  and  you  remember  he 
said: 

"And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the 
last  days,  that  the  mountain  of  the 
Lord's  house  shall  be  established 
in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  ... 
and  all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it. 

"And  many  people  shall  go  and 
say,  Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  up  to 
the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the 
house  of  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  he 
will  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we 
will  walk  in  his  paths:  .  .  ."  (Isa. 
2:2-3.) 

Now,  I  think  the  temple  in  Salt 
Lake  City  is  "the  mountain  of 
the  Lord's  house"  referred  to  by 
Isaiah,  and  all  these  other  temples 
that  have  been  added  since  and 
those  that  will  be  added  are  but  an 
expansion  of  the  work  that  this 
great  prophet  must  have  seen 
would  cause  men  to  gather  from  all 
over  the  world  to  the  holy  temple, 
the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob,  for 
the  blessing  they  might  receive  in 
that  temple. 

Remember  when  Nicodemus 
came  to  Jesus  by  night  and  said, 
".  .  .  we  know  that  thou  art  .  .  . 
come  from  God:  for  no  man  can  do 
these  miracles  that  thou  doest,  ex- 


cept God  be  with  him."  (John  3:2. ) 

Jesus  didn't  start  on  some  great 
oration  of  life.  He  said,  "Except  a 
man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see 
the  kingdom  of  God."  (Ibid.,  3:3.) 

And  Nicodemus  could  not  under- 
stand. You  remember  his  statement. 
And  then  the  Savior  repeated,  "Ex- 
cept a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of 
the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God."  (Ibid.,  3:5.) 

And  then  Nicodemus  couldn't 
understand,  and  Jesus  said,  "  .  .  We 
speak  that  we  do  know,  and  testify 
that  we  have  seen;  and  ye  receive 
not  our  witness. 

"If  I  have  told  you  earthly  things, 
and  ye  believe  not,  how  shall  ye 
believe,  if  I  tell  you  of  heavenly 
things?"  (Ibid.,  3:11-12.) 

The  entrance  into  the  kingdom  is 
what  Jesus  described  as  the  earthly 
things,  being  born  again  of  the 
water  and  of  the  Spirit;  and  here  in 
these  holy  temples  we  learn  of  the 
"heavenly  things"  that  have  been 
revealed  to  contribute  to  our  ex- 
altation. You  recall  when  the  Apos- 
tle Paul  was  caught  up  into  the 
third  heaven  and  the  paradise  of 
God,  he  was  not  permitted  to  write 
the  things  that  he  saw,  but  he  did 
say,  "Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear 
heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love 
him."  (1  Cor.  2:9.) 

No  man  can  conceive  here  in 
mortality  what  God  has  prepared 
for  those  who  love  him,  and  in  his 
holy  temples  are  the  places  in  which 
we  learn  of  the  heavenly  things  that 
will  prepare  us  to  enter  into  that 
third  heaven  that  Paul  spoke  of, 
and  it  is  a  marvelous  thing  when 
you  think  of  how  broad  the  gospel 
plan  is. 

Jesus,  remember,  said  that 
"...  The  hour  is  coming,  and  now 
is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear  the 
voice  of  the  Son  of  God:  and  they 
that  hear  shall  live."  (John  5:25.) 


138 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


And  then  he  goes  on,  "Marvel  not 
at  this:  for  the  hour  is  coming,  in 
the  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves 
shall  hear  his  voice, 

"And  shall  come  forth;  .  .  ." 
(Ibid.,  5:28-29.) 

And  so  the  plan  is  not  just  for 
this  life,  it  is  for  the  other  as  well. 
Remember  what  Paul  said,  that  the 
Lord  had  revealed  ".  .  .  the  mystery 
of  his  will,  .  .  . 

"That  in  the  dispensation  of  the 
fulness  of  times  [and  we  are  privi- 
leged to  live  in  that  dispensation] 
that  he  might  gather  together  in 
one  all  things  in  Christ,  both  which 
are  in  heaven  and  which  are  on 
earth;  even  in  him."  (Eph.  1:9-10.) 

There  has  never  been  a  program 
that  we  know  of,  no  other  church  in 
the  world  has  a  program,  to  unite 
all  that  is  in  the  heavens  above  with 
that  which  is  here  upon  this  earth. 
No  wonder  President  Young  made 
a  statement  like  this.  He  said  that 
he  had  studied  the  gospel  for 
twenty-one  years  as  he  had  traveled 
by  day  and  by  night,  by  land  and 
by  sea,  as  religiously  as  any  man 
ever  studied  any  branch  of  science. 
He  said  he  had  only  got  to  the 
ABC's.  No  wonder  we  have  so 
much  that  the  world  knows  not 
of,  and  I  thank  God  for  it. 

Now  in  these  dedicatory  services, 
our  worthy  President  has  expressed 
the  thought  that  there  are  unseen 
visitors  here— the  prophets  who 
have  lived  in  this  dispensation, 
maybe  our  loved  ones.  And  he  has 
indicated  that  the  veil  might  be 
very  thin,  and  I  want  to  bear  my 
testimony  to  you  that  I  think  the 
unseen  powers  that  are  operating 
in  this  world  to  help  to  bring  about 
the  fulfilment  of  the  Lord's  prom- 
ises are  far  beyond  our  ability  to 
comprehend  and  understand.  The 
old  prophets  said  that  in  the  latter 
days  the  Lord  would  pour  out  his 
Spirit  upon  all  flesh  and  the  young 
men  should  see  visions  and  the  old 
men  should  dream  dreams.  (See 
Joel  2:28.)  And  so  think  of  what 
has  happened  since  the  Father  and 
the  Son  appeared  to  the  Prophet 
Joseph  Smith  by  the  pouring  out  of 
his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh  in  order  to 
bring  about  his  purposes  so  that  we 
could  do  the  things  that  we  do  now. 
Think  of  our  means  of  travel,  our 
means  of  communication— these 
microphones  here  that  carry  the 
voice  and  now  carry  it  all  over  the 
world.  I  have  a  little  thing  here  in 


my  pocket  that  is  to  me  a  miracle. 
See  that  little  film.  On  that  film  is 
the  entire  Bible,  over  twelve  hun- 
dred pages.  Think  of  what  that 
means  in  this  great  microfilming 
program  of  the  Church  to  gather 
together  all  the  records  of  the  world 
where  we  can  put  them  away  in  our 
libraries,  and  then  by  blowing  them 
up,  we  can  read  everything  that  is 
on  them.  It  is  a  marvelous  work  and 
wonder. 

Now,  I  like  also  to  think  of  how 
marvelously  the  Lord  has  moved 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
men  all  over  this  world  since  Elijah 
came  to  turn  the  hearts  of  the 
fathers  to  the  children  and  the 
hearts  of  the  children  to  the  fathers, 
to  gather  genealogy  and  to  write 
records.  We  are  told  that  at  that 
time  there  were  no  genealogical 
associations  and  libraries  except 
for  royal  families,  and  now  records 
are  being  written  by  the  thousands 
and  the  hundreds  of  thousands,  and 
many  of  us  have  had  our  own  per- 
sonal experiences.  I  would  like  to 
relate  a  few  that  have  come  to  my 
attention. 

When  I  went  on  my  first  mission 
to  Holland,  there  were  three  of  us 
who  went  to  that  land— a  brother 
from  up  in  Idaho  and  one  from 
Spanish  Fork,  Utah— we  landed  in 
Rotterdam.  One  of  them  was  sent 
up  to  the  north,  and  I'll  talk  of  him 
because  he  had  a  German  name  and 
when  he  was  called  to  go  to  Hol- 
land his  people  were  disappointed, 
feeling  that  he  ought  to  go  to 
Germany  where  he  could  look  up 
the  genealogy  of  his  father's  people. 
And  when  he  arrived  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  Holland,  what  we  call 
Groningen,  he  was  sent  out  into  the 
little  city  of  Veendam,  and  he  and 
his  companion  went  looking  for  a 
place  to  live— furnished  rooms.  This 
young  man  said  to  his  companion, 
"This  looks  like  a  nice  place;  let's 
go  in  here."  And  after  he  had  been 
there  a  few  weeks,  he  found  that 
a  record  of  his  father's  people  had 
been  brought  across  the  border  out 
of  Germany,  and  the  father's  family 
never  knew  that  their  people  had 
ever  been  in  Holland.  Think  of  the 
inspiration  of  God  that  led  the 
President  to  send  that  boy  to  Hol- 
land, and  the  inspiration  that 
guided  the  president  of  the  mission 
to  send  him  up  into  the  north,  and 
the  inspiration  that  guided  the  dis- 
trict president  to  send  him  to  the 


little  city  of  Veendam,  about  60,000 
people  at  that  time,  and  the  same 
inspiration  that  led  him  and  his 
companion  to  the  very  house  where 
he  found  that  record.  He  died  over 
there  with  smallpox. 

I  was  present  at  his  burial,  and 
the  city  was  going  to  burn  the  book. 
The  district  president  said,  "If  you 
do,  it  will  cost  you  $500."  They  said 
no  book  is  worth  that  much,  but 
they  fumigated  it  page  by  page  in 
order  that  the  work  could  be  done, 
and  the  book  is  in  the  hands  of  the 
family.  I  could  tell  you  more  about 
that,  but  there  isn't  time. 

When  I  went  on  a  short  term 
mission  back  in  the  East  a  few  years 
ago,  one  of  my  companions  out  of 
Idaho  was  set  apart  for  his  mission 
by  my  father,  and  among  other 
things  Father  told  him  that  he 
would  not  only  do  a  great  work  for 
the  living,  but  that  he  would  also 
do  a  great  work  in  gathering  gene- 
alogy of  his  father's  people.  Now 
that  was  a  statement  to  make, 
wasn't  it?  And  after  we  had  been 
there  a  little  while,  we  had  a  storm 
—and  it  surely  does  know  how  to 
storm  back  there.  I  said,  "I  guess 
we'd  better  go  in  the  library  and  see 
what  we  can  find  about  your  fa- 
ther's people."  We  found  a  book 
there  with  thousands  of  names  in  it 
that  had  been  gathered.  His  name 
was  Wadsworth  and  went  back  into 
the  Longfellow  family.  Then  we 
went  up  into  Boston  to  try  to  find  a 
copy.  The  publishing  house  had 
gone  out  of  business.  We  went  to  a 
secondhand  bookstore  with  high 
walls  and  a  ladder  running  along  it. 
The  owner  said,  "I  believe  I  have 
one  of  those  books."  He  crawled  up 
the  ladder,  brought  the  book  down, 
dusted  it  off,  and  for  twenty  dollars 
this  boy  got  a  record  of  his  people 
with  thousands  of  names.  Do  you 
think  that  those  things  are  just  acci- 
dental or  just  happen? 

Under  the  inspiration  of  the 
Almighty,  we  brought  in  a  new 
convert  down  in  the  South  while  I 
was  there.  He  went  into  the  library 
in  Jacksonville  to  look  up  the  record 
of  his  people.  He  found  a  book  that 
had  been  published  by  a  judge  in 
Texas  by  his  name.  The  foreword 
said:  "This  book  has  been  pub- 
lished at  great  expense  and  time  on 
the  part  of  myself  and  my  wife,  and 
why  we  have  done  it  we  do  not 
know,  but  we  trust  that  in  the  pro- 
vidence of  the  Almighty  that  it  may 


FEBRUARY   1965 


139 


sometime  serve  a  useful  purpose." 
When  I  was  president  of  the 
stake  in  Los  Angeles,  we  had  a 
meeting  of  our  stake  genealogical 
committee.  The  chairman  of  the 
Los  Angeles  library  was  there,  and 
we  talked  about  gathering  gene- 
alogy. He  said,  "I  don't  know  what 
it  is.  I  have  spent  thousands  of  dol- 
lars gathering  genealogy  of  my 
people.  I  have  my  vaults  full  of 
parchments  and  records."  He  said, 
"I  don't  know  what  good  they  will 
ever  be,  but  I  have  a  mania  to  do 
that,"  and  I  took  the  privilege  of 
explaining  to  him  that  someday  he 
would  realize  that  he  had  been  a 
partner  with  Elijah  the  prophet 
and  he  hadn't  known  how  much  his 
influence  had  spread  over  this  earth 
and  had  moved  upon  him. 

I  met  a  man  in  Portland,  Oregon, 
who  had  traveled  all  over  the 
United  States  gathering  genealogy 
of  his  people.  He  said,  "Why  I  have 
done  it  I  do  not  know." 

We  have  a  record  prepared  by 
tr>e  Richards  family  back  in  the 
East  containing  pictures  of  our 
grandfathers  and  thousands  of 
names  they  have  gathered,  and 
you  can  read  the  history  of  these 
men  and  their  genealogy  and  what 
they  have  accomplished.  Many  of 
them  were  ministers,  and  I  have 
compared  them  at  times  with  such 


men  as  my  cousin^  Stephen  L  Rich- 
ards; and  then  as  President  Joseph 
Fielding  Smith  said  in  his  talk  here 
the  other  day,  many  of  them  were 
noble  and  great  men  that  God 
raised  up  as  great  leaders  among 
his  people  before  the  gospel  was 
here,  who  will  be  waiting  to  have 
their  temple  work  done  for  them. 

I  have  one  other  thought  I  would 
like  to  leave  with  you.  Over  in 
Holland  we  had  the  old  prison  in 
The  Hague,  and  there  the  Dutch 
people  fought  an  eight-year  war  to 
free  themselves  from  the  shackles  of 
the  dominant  church,  and  many 
of  them  were  put  to  death  because 
of  their  faith.  They  had  all  kinds  of 
instruments  of  torture.  The  perse- 
cutors would  stand  them  up  and  let 
cold  water  drip  on  their  heads  until 
they  would  just  go  crazy.  They 
would  put  them  on  a  rack  and 
break  their  arms  and  legs  or  put 
them  over  a  rack  and  then  turn  the 
wheel  that  would  pull  their  bodies 
apart.  They  had  a  steel  plate  that 
they  would  make  red  hot  and  force 
the  people  to  walk  over  it  bare- 
footed. If  it  didn't  burn  their  feet, 
then  they  were  innocent.  Then 
others  were  condemned  to  die  by 
starvation.  They  were  placed  in  a 
room  with  pipes  running  from  the 
kitchen  where  they  could  get  all  of 
the  fumes  from  the  cooking,  and 


yet  they  couldn't  get  anything  to 
eat.  And  right  outside  of  that  prison 
is  where  two  of  the  DeWitt  broth- 
ers were  hanged  right  before  the 
people  for  no  other  reason  in  the 
world  than  that  they  insisted  on 
serving  God  according  to  the  dic- 
tates of  their  consciences. 

We  have  been  in  the  old  home 
town  in  Holland  of  our  Pilgrim 
Fathers  before  they  came  to  this 
land  that  they  might  worship  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  then- 
own  consciences. 

Isn't  it  wonderful  that  the  Lord 
has  made  provision  that  the  temple 
work  can  be  done  vicariously  for 
such  faithful  people  who  showed 
such  great  love  for  the  Lord,  and 
that,  as  the  prophet  of  old  has 
indicated,  we  can  become  saviors 
upon  Mount  Zion. 

What  will  it  mean  when  we  stand 
in  the  presence  of  our  loved  ones 
and  know  that  we  have  been 
privileged  to  be  saviors  unto 
them? 

May  God  help  you  now  to  realize 
what  this  building  means  to  each 
of  you  who  have  contributed  to  it, 
that  you  may  come  often,  that  you 
may  get  the  dividends' on  your  in- 
vestment; and  may  God  bless  you 
for  all  you  have  done,  I  pray  and 
leave  you  my  blessing  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


THE  OAKLAND  TEMPLE 

CULMINATION 

OF  HISTORY 


•  It  is  humbling  and  I  might  say 
frightening  to  stand  in  this  holy 
place  and  raise  one's  voice  in  the 
presence  of  the  prophet  of  the  Lord 
and  before  you,  nw  brothers  and 
sisters.  President  McKay  called  our 
attention  to  the  fact  that  there  are 
many  unseen  guests  with  us  on  this 
occasion.  He  referred  to  former 
Presidents  of  the  Church  and  others 
who  are  not  now  with  us  in  mor- 
tality, but  whose  presence  is  felt. 
We  have  been  reminded  of  the 
building   of  the  Kirtland  Temple 


HOWARD    W.    HUNTER 

OF   THE   COUNCIL   OF  THE   TWELVE 

and  the  Nauvoo  Temple,  and  .  .  . 
the  early  Saints,  those  who  crossed 
the  great  American  desert  and 
came  to  the  West.  Before  Brigham 
Young  and  that  first  party  of  Saints 
entered  into  the  valley  of  the  Salt 
Lake,  there  were  already  two  com- 
panies of  Mormons  on  the  West 
Coast,  here  in  California. 

The  first  group  came  around  the 
Horn  and  landed  at  Yerba  Buena, 
just  a  short  distance  from  where 
we  are  seated  today,  and  with- 
in   twenty -four    hours    after    they 


dropped  anchor  in  this  bay,  the 
Mormon  Battalion,  the  second 
group  which  came  to  California, 
commenced  its  great  march  of 
twenty-one  hundred  miles  from 
Council  Bluffs  to  San  Diego.  After 
coming  up  the  coast  and  stopping 
to  establish  Fort  Moore,  the  mili- 
tary garrison  overlooking  the  sleepy 
little  pueblo  of  Los  Angeles,  a  con- 
tingent of  men  from  the  battalion 
was  sent  into  the  San  Bernardino 
Mountains  to  cut  and  trim  a  great 
tree.  They  brought  it  back,  planted 


140 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


it  in  the  ground  on  Fort  Moore  Hill, 
and  raised  the  first  American  flag 
over  that  pueblo.  No  other  march 
in  the  annals  of  military  history 
equals  that  of  the  Mormon  Bat- 
talion. Colonel  Philip  St.  George 
Cook  presented  the  battalion  to 
General  Kearney  in  Los  Angeles 
by  making  the  statement,  "Bona- 
parte crossed  the  Alps,  but  these 
men  have  crossed  a  continent." 
(Daniel  Tyler,  A  Concise  History 
of  the  Mormon  Battalion  in  the 
Mexican  War,  pp.  281-282.) 

We  read  in  history  with  great 
interest  the  voyage  of  Columbus 
across  the  Atlantic,  which  took 
seventy-one  days,  also  the  history 
of  the  Pilgrims  who  brought  128 
colonists  to  the  shores  of  this  coun- 
try, but  this  occasion  today  reminds 
us  of  those  Saints  who  went  around 
two  continents,  a  voyage  requiring 
much  more  time  and  greater  dis- 
tance than  either  Columbus  or  the 
Pilgrims.  It  took  them  178  days,  just 
six  days  short  of  six  months  to  make 
their  great  voyage.  This  first  Mor- 
mon migration  to  California  had  its 
beginning  in  New  York  at  the  time 
when  the  body  of  the  Church  was 
in  Nauvoo,  Illinois.  The  Saints  on 
the  eastern  seaboard  wanted  to  join 
the  Saints  in  Nauvoo,  but  finances 
did  not  permit  them  to  do  so.  It 
was  finally  decided  to  try  the  water 
route  to  the  Pacific. 

Parley  P.  Pratt  wrote  a  letter  in 
November  1845  to  Samuel  Brannan 
in  which  he  said,  "Our  Apostles, 
assembled  in  meeting,  have  de- 
bated the  best  method  of  getting  all 
our  people  into  the  far  west  with 
the  least  possible  hardship.  We 
have  read  Hastings'  Account  of 
California  and  Fremont's  Journal 
of  Explorations  in  the  West,  and  we 
have  concluded  that  the  Great 
Basin  in  the  top  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  where  lies  the  Great 
Salt  Lake,  is  the  proper  place  for 
us.  Fremont  visited  this  place,  and 
he  says  that  the  soil  is  fertile 
and  traversed  by  many  mountain 
streams.  This  will  make  it  possible 
to  irrigate  during  the  times  of 
drought.  And  so,  it  looks  as  if  we 
will  head  for  the  mountains  where 
Joseph  so  longingly  turned  his  eyes 
during  his  life.  I  enclose  to  you  a 
letter  of  instruction  from  the  Apos- 
tles, authorizing  you  to  lead  the 
group  of  Saints  in  its  exodus  from 
New  York  City  and  the  Atlantic 
seaboard.  Brother  Brigham  is,  this 


day,  sending  a  letter  to  my  brother 
Orson,  directing  him  to  call  a  con- 
ference of  all  the  Saints  in  your 
mission,  to  lay  before  them  the  plan 
to  emigrate  by  water  from  New 
York."  (Leo  J.  Muir,  A  Century  of 
Mormon  Activities  in  California, 
1,30.) 

A  conference  was  held  in  New 
York  on  the  second  Saturday  in 
November  in  1845  in  which  Orson 
Pratt  talked  to  the  Saints.  He  said, 
"I  grieve  to  leave  so  many  loyal 
workers  that  I  have  learned  to  love 
and  depend  on,  but  I  must  go  home 
[that  is,  back  to  Nauvoo  where  he 
lived]  to  prepare  our  people  and 
especially  my  own  family  for  the 
long  trek  over  the  Great  Plains 
which  now  faces  us.  We  must  leave 
by  the  first  of  February,  in  the 
dead  of  winter,  Governor  Ford  [of 
Illinois]  tells  us.  I  want  to  warn 
the  poor  among  you  here  not  to 
try  to  go  to  Nauvoo  with  the  idea  in 
mind  that  the  church  will  outfit  you 
for  the  westward  journey.  The 
church  cannot  help  you.  Already 
we  have  more  destitute  there  than 
we  can  take  care  of.  To  the  rest  of 
you  I  want  to  say  that  if  you  have 
enough  means  to  buy  horses,  wag- 
ons, tents,  equipment  and  food 
enough  to  get  you  to  Nauvoo,  then 
you  will  have  more  than  enough  to 
pay  your  passage  by  water  to  the 
west  coast  and  it  will  be  an  easier 
journey.  Besides,  those  of  you  who 
go  by  ship  can  carry  heavy  ma- 
chinery, tons  of  seeds,  and  every 
manner  of  thing  necessary  to  build 
up  a  new  commonwealth,  whereas 
we  who  go  by  land  can  take  little 
with  us.  Brother  Brannan  is  looking 
for  a  ship,  although  he  has  not 
found  a  satisfactory  one  yet.  He  will 
have  one,  we  hope,  very  soon  and 
we  have  therefore  set  the  tentative 
sailing  date  from  New  York  City 
for  about  the  middle  of  January 
next.  If  a  hundred  and  fifty  pas- 
sengers can  be  obtained,  Brother 
Brannan  can  charter  a  vessel  on 
that  basis  and  your  fare  will  be 
practically  nothing  and  the  voyage 
will  not  take  more  than  four  or  five 
months.  Brethren,  Awake!  Be  de- 
termined to  get  out  from  this  evil 
nation  before  next  spring."  ( Idem. ) 

The  ship  Brooklyn  was  located 
and  arrangements  were  made  with 
her  owner  to  outfit  the  freighter  for 
this  long  contemplated  voyage.  The 
Brooklyn  set  sail  from  New  York 
on  February  4, 1846,  with  239  pas- 


sengers. AH  were  members  of  the 
Church  except  four:  the  captain, 
the  cook,  a  stewardess,  and  one 
other  person.  In  addition  to  the 
personal  effects  of  the  passengers, 
the  cargo  consisted  of  tools  and 
equipment  to  set  up  enterprises.  A 
printing  press  and  supplies,  two 
sawmills,  a  gristmill,  farm  ma- 
chinery and  implements,  black- 
smithing  tools,  tools  for  carpenters 
and  millwrights,  turning  lathes,  saw- 
mill iron,  nails,  glass,  and  many 
building  materials  were  put  on 
board.  In  addition  to  all  these 
things,  there  was  seed  for  planting, 
textbooks  for  schools,  library  books, 
two  milk  cows,  forty  pigs,  and 
several  crates  of  fowl. 

The  very  day  the  Brooklyn  sailed 
from  New  York  harbor,  the  Nauvoo 
Saints  commenced  their  crossing 
over  the  Mississippi  River.  It  is 
interesting  that  these  two  events 
should  take  place  on  the  very  same 
day.  The  voyage  of  the  Saints  on 
the  Brooklyn  is  a  thrilling  and  fasci- 
nating story  of  people  with  a  great 
religious  purpose.  Their  journey, 
five  or  six  times  as  long  as  the 
journey  of  the  pilgrim  fathers,  is 
unique  in  the  history  of  the  United 
States.  It  is  the  longest  voyage  ever 
taken  by  a  body  of  religious  zealots 
in  quest  of  a  new  homeland.  Their 
story  is  much  the  same  as  that 
of  those  brave  souls  who  crossed 
the  plains  under  great  hardship. 
There  were  births  and  deaths, 
and  there  was  happiness  and  sick- 
ness, but  in  all  a  great  spirituality. 
In  the  latter  part  of  April  the  ship 
rounded  Cape  Horn  and  turned 
northward  into  the  Pacific.  It 
stopped  at  the  Juan  Fernandez 
Islands  and  then  continued  on  to 
the  Sandwich  Islands,  landing  in 
Honolulu  on  the  20th  of  June.  After 
ten  days  she  set  sailagain  and  on 
July  31,  1846,  came  into  Yerba 
Buena  harbor  which  we  overlook 
today. 

There  were  other  parties  which 
had  migrated  into  California  ahead 
of  the  ship  Brooklyn,  but  it  was 
said  that  this  group  of  Mormons 
was  the  first  Anglo-American 
colonists  to  come  to  California  by 
water.  This  handful  of  people  more 
than  doubled  the  population  of 
Yerba  Buena.  The  following  Sun- 
day on  August  8th  the  Mormons 
began  holding  church  services  at 
Casa  Grande,  the  large  white  house 
that  Brannan  had  rented  for  his 


FEBRUARY   1965 


141 


family.  This  is  said  to  be  the  first 
non-Catholic  church  service  ever 
held  in  San  Francisco. 

The  little  outpost  of  Yerba  Buena 
has  since  become  the  great  metropo- 
lis of  San  Francisco,  but  its  early 
history  is  interwoven  with  the  ac- 
tivities of  those  early  Mormon 
Saints.  The  historian  Bancroft  wrote 
an  interesting  paragraph  in  his  his- 
tory of  California,  saying,  "Thus 
San  Francisco  became  for  a  time 
very  largely  a  'Mormon'  town.  All 
bear  witness  to  the  orderly  and 
moral  conduct  of  the  saints,  both 
on  land  and  sea.  They  were  honest 
and  industrious  citizens,  even  if 
clannish  and  peculiar."  ( Hubert  H. 
Bancroft,  History  of  California,  5, 
551.)  The  Mormons  took  up  much 
of  the  land  and  building  lots  in 
San  Francisco  and  on  this  side  of 
the  bay  also.  John  Robbins  bought 
the  land  south  of  Market  Street  in 
San  Francisco  and  owned  the  land 
on  which  the  great  Sheraton-Palace 
Hotel  stands.  With  his  brother  he 
bought  a  horse  from  an  Australian 
ship  and  set  up  the  first  express 
business  in  San  Francisco.  John  Burr 
built  some  of  the  first  permanent 
houses  that  were  ever  built  in  San 
Francisco.  William  Evans  owned 
the  land  at  what  is  now  Market  and 
Van  Ness  and  opened  a  tailor  shop. 
The  holdings  of  Samuel  Brannan, 
of  course,  were  fabulous.  He  pub- 
lished the  first  newspaper  produced 
in  San  Francisco.  If  time  would 
permit,  we  could  trace  the  story  of 
these  early  settlers  which  has  had 
such  a  great  effect  upon  early  Cali- 
fornia history. 

While  this  company  of  Saints  was 
establishing  itself  here  at  Yerba 
Buena  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  the 
Nauvoo  Saints  were  commencing 
their  great  trek  across  the  American 
desert.  After  reaching  the  valley  of 
the  Great  Salt  Lake,  Brigham 
Young  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Saints 
in  California  in  which  he  said,  "We 
have  been  driven  From  the  habita- 
tions of  men,  and  hurled,  as  it  were 
like  a  stone  from  a  sling,  and  we 
have  lodged  here  in  this  goodly 
place,  surrounded  by  a  munition 
of  rocks,  just  where  the  Lord  wants 
his  people  to  gather  unto;  and  we 
say  unto  you  all  and  all  the  Saints 
in  California,  you  are  in  a  goodly 
land;  and  if  you  choose  to  come 
to  this  place,  you  are  at  liberty  to 
come,  and  we  shall  be  happy  to 
receive  you,  and  give  you  an  in- 


heritance in  our  midst:  and  if  any 
emigrants  should  arrive  upon  the 
Western  shores,  let  no  one  discour- 
age them  from  coming  to  this  place, 
if  they  wish  to  do  so;  not  that  we 
wish  to  depopulate  California  of  all 
the  Saints,  but  that  we  wish  to 
make  this  a  stronghold,  a  rallying 
point,  a  more  immediate  gathering 
place  than  any  other."  Then  he 
used  the  words  President  McKay 
mentioned  in  his  opening  address 
and  referred  to  as  prophecy:  ".  .  . 
and  from  hence  let  the  word  go 
out  and  in  the  process  of  time  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific  may  be  over- 
looked from  the  Temple  of  the 
Lord."  (Journal  History,  August  7, 
1847,  p.  10.)  Today  we  overlook 
the  very  place  where  those  Saints 
landed  and  overlook  the  Pacific  as 
Brigham  Young  said  it  would  be 
viewed  from  a  temple  of  the  Lord. 

Last  Monday  at  a  press  confer- 
ence in  Oakland,  where  repre- 
sentatives of  the  press  services, 
reporters  from  the  daily  papers  of 
San  Francisco  and  Oakland  and 
some  television  stations  were  pres- 
ent, President  McKay  was  ques- 
tioned about  this  and  other  temples. 
When  it  was  explained  to  them 
that  we  had  built  fifteen  temples  in 
this  dispensation,  the  reporters 
quickly  asked,  "What  are  your 
plans  for  the  next  temple?"  Presi- 
dent McKay  stated,  "We  have  no 
immediate  plans  at  the  present 
time." 

I  took  President  McKay's  state- 
ment to  mean  that  temples  are  built 
when  there  is  a  need.  If  we  are 
honest  with  ourselves,  it  would  be 
hard  for  us  to  say  that  there  is  a 
need  for  temples  beyond  those 
which  have  now  been  built.  This 
is  because  of  our  failure  as  indi- 
viduals and  families  to  pursue  our 
genealogical  research  with  dili- 
gence. 

It  is  hoped  that  all  families  will 
participate  in  the  Family  Home 
Evening  program  this  coming  year, 
and  that  in  our  family  hour  we  will 


consider  genealogical  research  and 
temple  work.  I  was  greatly  im- 
pressed by  the  challenge  of  Presi- 
dent Tanner  that  we  spend  at  least 
one  day  each  month  in  the  temple 
for  our  edification  and  blessing. 
He  also  called  attention  to  the  fact 
that  we  should  be  doing  our  own 
research.  It  is  to  this  second  part 
that  I  wish  to  call  attention.  We 
are  blessed  by  attending  the 
temple  service,  but  the  whole  bless- 
ing comes  from  Our  own  research 
coupled  with  it. 

The  Genealogical  Society  of  the 
Church  would  like  to  extend  an 
invitation  to  every  member  to  make 
use  of  its  facilities  in  compiling  his 
records  in  preparation  for  the 
temple  ordinances  so  that  each  will 
have  a  feeling  of  accomplishment 
as  he  enters  these  portals.  This 
temple  will  be  a  great  blessing  to 
this  area,  and  we  hope  your  own 
genealogical  library  in  Oakland  will 
soon  be  qualified  as  a  branch 
library  of  the  Genealogical  Society 
so  that  your  work  will  go  forward 
at  a  more  rapid  rate  than  in  the 
past.  May  the  work  in  this  temple 
never  be  slowed  because  of  the 
failure  to  do  research. 

I  have  been  thrilled  during  these 
few  days  by  the  testimonies  borne 
by  my  brethren  from  this  podium. 
I  would  like  to  add  my  witness  to 
their  witness,  that  God  does  live  and 
showers  great  blessings  upon  his 
children  who  are  faithful.  Jesus  is 
the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living 
God,  and  the  work  in  which  we 
are  engaged  is  true.  The  work 
which  will  be  done  in  this  temple 
by  those  who  are  present  today, 
joined  with  many  thousands  of 
others,  will  bring  blessings  to  count- 
less numbers  of  people,  both  to 
those  who  enter  herein  and  to  those 
who  will  receive  the  benefits  of  that 
vicarious  work.  May  the  Lord  bless 
us,  give  us  vision  and  the  deter- 
mination to  be  saviors  on  Mount 
Zion,  I  humbly  pray  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


142 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


THE  TEMPLE 

IN  TERMS 

OF  FAMILY  LIFE 


•  We  felt  unexpectedly  fortunate  to 
be  able  to  be  here  and  were  rejoic- 
ing at  the  privilege  because  we 
have  spent  our  adult  lives  on  the 
frontier  of  the  Church,  and  this  is 
the  first  opportunity  that  we've  had 
to  be  present  on  such  a  glorious 
occasion.  To  be  asked  to  say  a  few 
words   is   certainly   overwhelming. 

The  Bible  is  clear  in  its  record 
that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons. 
As  far  as  its  record  goes,  it  makes 
it  clear  that  through  the  centuries 
God  revealed  through  his  prophets 
the  particular  truths  that  the  people 
needed  in  their  day  and  age  to 
deal  with  the  problems  with 
which  they  were  confronted.  To  me 
it  has  seemed  illogical  to  think  that 
such  a  Creator  would  fail  to  make 
available  to  his  children  at  this  par- 
ticular time  in  the  history  of  the 
world  the  knowledge  needed  to 
cope  with  problems  far  greater  and 
far  more  complex  and  difficult  than 
those  ever  faced  before  by  his  chil- 
dren. Consequently,  it  has  always 
seemed  to  me  in  keeping  with  the 
biblical  record  that  there  should  be 
modern  prophets,  and  that  these 
modern  prophets  should  not  only 
testify  as  to  what  the  prophets  be- 
fore them  have  testified  to,  but 
should  make  available  to  us  truths 
that  are  needed  to  help  us  to  face 
the  problems  of  our  age  and  our 
time. 

Now,  it  has  also  seemed  to  me 
that  one  of  the  great  evidences  of 
the  prophetic  calling  of  the  Presi- 
dents of  this  Church  has  been  the 
fact  that  each  of  them  has  provided 
ahead  of  the  arrival  of  the  condi- 
tions they  envisioned  the  particular 
truths  and  emphasis  on  the  par- 
ticular principles  that  we  needed  to 
emphasize  to  avoid  coming  prob- 
lems. 

I  well  remember  in  my  youth 
how  upset  many  members  of  this 
Church  were  at  the  emphasis  that 


GEORGE    ROMNEY 

President  Heber  J.  Grant  placed 
on  the  Word  of  Wisdom.  As  we 
take  a  look  at  conditions  around  us 
today  with  youngsters  who  barely 
reach  their  teens  forming  habits 
that  will  deprive  them  of  full  physi- 
cal health  and  therefore  full  spiri- 
tual capacity,  it  is  clear  that  his 
message  was  timely  and  that  it 
came  ahead  of  the  period  of  great- 
est need. 

We  have  standing  at  the  head  of 
this  Church  today  a  prophet  who 
represents,  I  think,  more  than  any 
other  President  of  the  Church,  the 
ideal  family  President.  I  don't  be- 
lieve anyone  in  the  history  of  the 
Church  has  placed  greater  empha- 
sis on  the  importance  of  family  life 
than  President  McKay,  and  cer- 
tainly his  whole  life  is  a  living 
witness  of  the  importance  of  the 
family.  As  you  take  a  look  at  the 
problems  of  this  nation  in  particu- 
lar and  the  world  in  general,  there 
is  nothing  more  disturbing  than  the 
breakup  of  family  life  and  the 
huge  human  and  social  problems 
that  this  is  creating.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  great  threats  of  our  age 
are  not  communism  within  or  with- 
out, not  atomic  warfare,  or  con- 
tention over  control  of  space.  The 
great  threats  to  the  future  of  this 
nation  and  the  future  of  this  world 
are  the  declines  in  religious  convic- 
tion, moral  character,  and  family 
life.  Certainly  one  of  the  great  evi- 
dences of  the  fact  that  this  Church 
is  led  by  a  prophet  today,  as  it  has 
been  previously,  is  the  unusual 
emphasis  that  President  McKay  has 
given  to  the  importance  of  the 
family.  Indeed  this  temple  is  here 
importantly  because  of  what  it 
represents  in  terms  of  family  life 
on  this  earth  and  in  the  world  to 
come.  One  evidence  of  the  divine 
character  of  this  Church  is  the 
fact  that  it  gives  the  world  at 
this  time  a  higher  concept  of  the 


importance  of  the  family,  now  and 
in  the  eternities  to  come.  Certainly 
this  higher  concept  of  the  impor- 
tance of  the  family  is  one  of  the 
ways  that  we  are  helped  to  be 
better  parents  and,  hopefully,  to 
have  better  children,  and  not  only 
is  this  new  concept  given,  but  as 
parents  we  are  told  in  specific 
terms  through  modern  revelation 
what  our  obligations  are  to  our 
children. 

I  think  another  evidence  of  the 
prophetic  calling  of  President 
McKay  is  this  temple  and  the  fact 
that  in  his  period  of  presidency  the 
world  has  begun  to  recognize  the 
Church  and  the  Church  recognizes 
that  it  is  a  world  church  and  not 
a  sectional  or  nationalistic  church. 
This  Church  is  meant  for  all 
peoples  in  all  places  on  the  earth. 

This  nation's  world  leadership 
responsibility  came  along  at  about 
the  same  time  that  the  Church  be- 
gan to  reflect  in  its  activities  and  its 
efforts  a  broader  realization  of  its 
world  responsibility.  In  this  age 
of  doubt  and  cynicism  and  con- 
fusion, blessed  indeed  are  we  to 
have  through  modern  revelation 
scientific  truth,  political  truth,  eco- 
nomic truth,  as  well  as  religious 
truth,  to  help  us  in  selecting  those 
principles  and  means  that  can  en- 
able us  to  accomplish  the  goals  of 
our  Father  in  heaven  and  the  goals 
of  mankind  through  the  centuries. 

There  need  be  no  uncertainty  on 
the  part  of  any  of  us  as  to  the 
mission  of  this  Church  or  as  to  the 
mission  of  this  nation  because 
through  modern  revelation  we  know 
that  both  have  a  divine  mission  and 
a  divine  destiny. 

This  temple  is  here  to  enrich 
the  spirituality  of  those  who  come 
here  and  through  them  the  spiri- 
tuality of  those  who  live  in  this  area, 
and  this  enrichment  is  needed  for 
the  Church  and  this  nation  to  real- 


FEBRUARY   1965 


143 


ize  their  full  purpose. 

On  this  historic  occasion  it  is  my 
fervent  prayer  that  this  building 
will  always  be  used  by  those  of  us 
who  are  members  of  the  Church  to 
realize  its  full  potentialities  in  en- 
riching our  family  lives  here  and  in 
the  world  to  come  and  that  it  may 
become  a  symbol  to  people  through- 
out this  area  of  the  importance  of 
a  revival  in  good  family  life  in  this 


great  nation.  Unless  we  can  have 
such  a  revival  we  may  well  see  our 
purpose  and  our  destiny  replaced  by 
disaster  because  as  we  know  this  na- 
tion will  be  free  as  long  as  it  ac- 
knowledges the  Lord  of  this  land, 


Jesus  the  Christ  as  divine,  the  Son 
of  our  Creator. 

I  want  to  share  with  you  my  con- 
viction as  to  the  truth  of  these 
things,  as  to  the  prophetic  leader- 
ship of  this  great  Church,  as  to  the 


Jesus  Christ.  The  world  will  find  vital  importance  of  this  temple  and 

peace  and  the  other  goals  of  man-  all  it  stands  for  in  the  enrichment 

kind  only  when  mankind  generally  of  spiritual  life  and  family  life  at 

recognizes  that  these  goals  can  be  our  time  of  great  need.  I  do  this  in 

achieved   only   by   acknowledging  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


ETERNAL 
ASSURANCES 

RICHARD  L.   EVANS 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 

•  My   beloved   President   McKay     love  and  the  glorious  provision  of     thought  that  each  morning  I  awoke 
and  my  beloved  brethren  and  sisters:     a  Loving  and  All- wise  Father  for     would  bring  me  one  day  closer  to 


Many  years  ago,  in  the  year  1836,  his  children! 
the  Prophet  Joseph  had  a  glorious  Some  months  ago,  Sister  Evans 
vision  concerning  his  brother  who  and  I  visited  Alvin  Smith's  grave  in 
had  passed  away— which  is  well  Palmyra  in  a  country  churchyard, 
known  to  you  and  part  of  which  I  He  died  at  about  the  age  of  twenty- 
should  like  to  recall  at  this  time,  five  as  I  recall.  We  walked  over  the 
He  said:  graves     in     that     now-abandoned 

"The  heavens  were  opened  upon  cemetery,  looking  at  the  headstones 

us,  and  I  beheld  the  celestial  king-  —those  that  were  still  decipherable 


dom  of  God,  and  the  glory  thereof, 
whether  in  the  body  or  out  I  can- 
not tell.  I  saw  the  transcendent 
beauty  of  the  gate  through  which 
the  heirs  of  that  kingdom  will  enter, 


the  end  of  all  that  means  the  most, 
to  the  end  of  the  sweetness  of  asso- 
ciation with  our  sons  and  their 
lovely  mother,  of  an  awareness  of 
life,  of  self,  of  the  beauty  of  all 
things  and  the  great,  glorious  ex- 
pectancy of  the  future,  I  could 
wonder  if  the  Creator  knew  his 
business.  I  wouldn't  plan  this  way 
for  my  sons.  Blessedly,  he  hasn't 
planned  that  way  for  us  but  has 
given  us  the  glorious  assurance  that 


Many  were  weathered  and  worn 

and  not  readable.  We  noted  the 

shortness   of  life,   compared  with 

ours,    of   most  of  those   who   lay  life  and  truth  and  intelligence  and 

buried  there— infants  a  few  days,  a  personality    and    limitless    eternal 

which  was  like  unto  circling  flames     few  hours  old;  some  a  few  years;  opportunity  and  the  sweetness  of 

of  fire;  also  the  blazing  throne  of     many  in  their  teens;  many  in  their  association  with  our  loved  ones  are 

God,    whereon    was     seated    the     twenties.  I  think  in  all  our  walking  part  of  his  plan  and  purpose,  which 

Father  and  the  Son.  I  saw  the  beau-     over  that  cemetery,  we  only  noted  gives  it  all  such  glorious,  wonderful 

tiful  streets  of  that  kingdom,  which     one  or  two  headstones  of  anyone  meaning. 

had  the  appearance  of  being  paved     who  had  lived  past  fifty  years  of  Now,  of  course,  there  are  laws 

with  gold.  I  saw  Fathers  Adam  and     age,  and  we  came,  of  course,  to  the  and   commandments   and  require- 

Abraham,  and  my  father  and  moth-     conclusion  that  it  isn't  the  length  of  ments:  baptism  is  one;  the  temple 

er,    my   brother,    Alvin,    that    has     life   in   mortality   that  matters   so  endowment  is  another.  Some  would 

long  since  slept,  and  marvelled  how     much,  but  the  readiness  that  mat-  question  these;  some  would  think 

it  was  that  he  had  obtained  an  in-     ters  very  much,  and  the  everlasting  they  are  not  so  important;   some 

heritance  in  that  kingdom,  seeing     assurances   that   a  Loving   Father  would  postpone   them.   But  there 


that   he    had    departed    this    life     has  given. 


before  the  Lord  had  set  His  hand 
to  gather  Israel  the  second  time, 
and  had  not  been  baptized  for  the 
remission  of  sins.  .  .  . 

"And  I  also  beheld  that  all  chil- 
dren who  die  before  they  arrive  at 
the    years    of    accountability,    are 


There  are  meetings  and  partings 
for  all  of  us.  We  come  into  the 
world  alone.  Either  we  leave  our 
loved  ones  at  some  point  along  the 
way  or  they  leave  us;  and  except 


are  causes  and  consequences  in  all 
things.  We  choose  one  way,  and  we 
realize  one  result.  We  choose  an- 
other way,  and  we  realize  another 
result. 

One  of  the  remarkable  demon- 
strations at  the  Du  Pont  Exhibit  at 


for  the  glorious  eternal  assurances, 

how  empty  life  would  be.  I  can  well  the  World's  Fair,  which  many  of 

saved  in  the  celestial  kingdom  of     understand  the  cynicism  and  the  you  may  have  seen,  is  that  which 

heaven."  (DHC,  2:380-381.)  frustrations  of  those  who  don't  have  pertains  to  two  rubber  balls  which 

What  an  evidence  of  mercy  and     these   everlasting  assurances.   If  I  a  demonstrator  holds  up,  one  in 


144 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


each  hand.  One  is  made  of  natural 
rubber,  one  of  synthetic  rubber. 
Both  are  frozen  to  a  very  low  de- 
gree, far  below  temperatures  that 
are  normally  or  naturally  experi- 
enced on  earth.  The  demonstrator 
then  drops  these  two  balls.  The  one 
made  of  natural  rubber  shatters  as 
if  it  were  fragile  glass;  the  one 
made  of  synthetic  rubber  still 
bounces,  retains  its  resiliency.  One 
is  made  by  one  process,  one  made 
by  another. 

It  is  just  as  surely  so  in  life  ever- 
lasting as  it  is  in  these  physical 
things.  We  choose,  we  live  by  our 
choices,  and  we  realize  the  results. 
I  have  a  great  respect  for  scholar- 
ship, for  the  brilliant  minds  of 
brilliant  men,  but  I've  never  known 
any  man  so  brilliant  that  I  was  will- 
ing to  entrust  to  him  my  everlast- 
ing life  or  the  lives  of  my  loved 
ones.  I  know  of  no  way  to  live  in 
these  basic  considerations,  except 
by  simple  faith.  I  don't  know 
enough  to  set  aside  any  of  the  com- 
mandments of  God  or  any  of  the 
requirements  or  laws  that  God  has 
given.  And  since  it  has  been  said  by 
him  and  his  prophets  that  certain 
requirements  are  essential  to  realize 
our  highest  opportunity  and  highest 
happiness  and  the  assurance  of 
association  with  our  loved  ones 
everlastingly,  who  would  be  so  fool- 
ish as  to  set  these  things  aside? 
Who  would  be  so  foolish  as  to 
postpone  them? 

May  I  share  with  you  two  cita- 
tions that  we  used  on  our  CBS 
broadcast  last  Sunday.  One  is  by 
Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  who  said, 
"The  great  thing  in  this  world  is 
not  so  much  where  we  are,  but  in 
what  direction  we  are  moving." 
This  we  followed  with  a  sentence 
by  William  Nevins,  who  said,  "He 
that  waits  for  repentance,  waits 
for  that  which  cannot  be  had  as 
long  as  it  is  waited  for."  It  is  ab- 
surd for  a  person  to  wait  for  that 
which  only  he  himself  has  to  do, 
can  do.  Each  man,  if  he  is  wise, 
will  look  to  himself  and  his  life  and 
to  the  commandments  of  God  to 
see  how  he  stands  with  respect 
to  those  commandments  and  those 
requirements.  Said  Carlyle,  "Oh, 
be  wise,  all  ye  living,  and  remem- 
ber that  time  passes.  .  .  .  Blind  and 
deaf  that  we  are;  oh,  think,  if  thou 
yet  love  anybody  living,  wait  not 
till  death  sweep  down  the  paltry 
little    dust-cloud    and    idle    disso- 


nances of  the  moment."  There  is 
great  unwisdom  in  the  postpone- 
ment of  essentials,  both  as  to  the 
living  and  the  dead. 

May  I  go  back  again  to  a  sen- 
tence that  I  borrowed  from  Presi- 
dent McKay  at  the  recent  general 
conference,  which  Brother  Lee's 
comments  yesterday  reminded  me 
of  once  more,  about  the  hearts  of 
the  fathers  and  the  children  turn- 
ing to  each  other,  here  and  now, 
in  this  life,  as  well  as  in  that  which 
pertains  to  the  hereafter.  This  is 
President  McKay's  sentence: 

"No  other  success  can  compen- 
sate for  failure  in  the  home."  ( The 
Improvement  Era,  67,  445,  June 
1964.)  To  paraphrase  it,  no  other 
success  can  compensate  for  the  loss 
of  a  place  in  the  family  circle  of 
our  Father.  No  other  success  can 
compensate  for  failure  to  find  a 
place  in  our  Father's  kingdom.  No 
other  success  can  compensate  for 
the  loss  of  everlasting  opportuni- 
ties. God  has  given  to  this  people 
through  living  prophets  the  fulness 
of  the  gospel,  the  requirements, 
the  commandments,  the  ordinances, 
the  means,  and  the  opportunity,  as 
evidenced  here.  I  would  plead 
against  the  postponement  of  any 
essential  correction  or  redirection 
of  our  lives,  or  meeting  of  our  obli- 
gations, or  acceptance  of  the  ordi- 
nances. The  Lord  God  does  not 
expect  of  us  perfection  at  this 
point,  but  he  does  expect  improve- 
ment and  an  honest  sincere  effort  in 
performance. 

Who  after  all  would  want  to 
settle  for  second  best  everlastingly? 

I  leave  with  you  my  witness,  with 
an  expression  of  my  affection  for 
you  and  my  pride  in  having  a  place 
in  your  fellowship,  that  God  lives 
and  did  make  us  in  his  own  image 
and  did  send  his  Son  to  redeem  us 
from  death  and  has  promised  unto 
us  limitless  everlasting  opportuni- 
ties and  the  sweetness  of  associa- 
tion with  our  loved  ones,  and  has 
again  given  us  the  gospel,  and  the 
rest  is  essentially  up  to  us. 

May  God  bless  and  be  with  you, 
my  brethren  and  sisters,  and  bless 
all  of  those  who  have  an  interest 
with  us  and  bless  all  of  God's  chil- 
dren everywhere,  that  they  may 
find  their  way  back  into  that  king- 
dom gloriously  described  by  the 
Prophet  Joseph,  with  their  loved 
ones  with  them,  not  one  missing,  I 
pray  in  Jesus'  name.  Amen. 


The  Editors  Page 
(Continued  from  page  93) 


alive  during  those  thousands  of 
years.  Your  loved  ones  who  died 
last  week,  last  year,  ten  years  ago— 
your  mother  and  father,  your  child, 
your  brother— are  alive! 

Immortality  of  the  soul!  It  is  a 
favorite  theme  of  poets  who  are  not 
members  of  the  Church,  and  others 
throughout  literature  hear  these 
words : 

"Tell  me  not,  in  mournful  numbers, 
Life  is  but  an  empty  dream!— 
For  the  soul  is  dead  that  slumbers, 
And  things  are  not  what  they  seem. 

"Life  is  real!  Life  is  earnest! 
And  the  grave  is  not  its  goal; 
Dust  thou  art,  to  dust  returnest, 
Was  not  spoken  of  the  soul." 
(Longfellow,  "A  Psalm  of  Life.") 

Christ's  words  emphasize  this 
eternal  truth:  "In  my  Father's  house 
are  many  mansions:  if  it  were  not 
so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to 
prepare  a  place  for  you. 

".  .  .  that  where  I  am,  there  ye 
may  be  also."  (John  14:2-3.) 

What  a  glorious  work  the  mem- 
bers in  this  Oakland  Temple  Dis- 
trict have  done  in  participating  in 
the  erection  of  this  holy  house! 
They  have  accomplished  it  by  giv- 
ing of  themselves,  by  living  above 
the  animal  plane,  by  rising  to  that 
spiritual  plane  in  which  we  can  lose 
ourselves  for  the  good  of  others. 
With  all  my  soul,  I  say  God  bless 
you  for  what  you  have  done! 

Let  me  leave  this  thought  with 
you  this  morning:  Those  who  now 
take  advantage  of  the  house  of 
God  take  upon  themselves  obliga- 
tions when  they  kneel  at  the  altar, 
and  each  couple  becomes  man  and 
wife.  Furthermore,  this  obligation 
reaches  out  telling  the  world  that 
there  is  no  death.  We  do  live  after 
death  strikes  us;  it  is  but  a  passing 
from  one  of  Father's  houses  into 
another— into  other  rooms  more 
glorious. 

God  bless  you!  God  help  us  to 
comprehend  the  significance  and 
breadth,  the  expansiveness,  the 
eternal  nature  of  the  restored  gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ,  I  pray  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


FEBRUARY   1963 


145 


TOURS 


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Since  Cumorah 
(Continued  from  page  103^ 


ing  thee  I  have  done  what  thou 
desirest  concerning  Babylon  to  the 
taking  away  of  the  seed  of  the 
Chaldeans. 

Book  of  Mormon: 

All  ye,  assemble  yourselves,  and 
hear;  who  among  them  hath  de- 
clared these  things  unto  them?  The 
Lord  hath  loved  him;  yea,  and  he 
will  fulfill  his  word  which  he  hath 
declared  by  them;  and  he  will  do 
his  pleasure  on  Babylon,  and  his 
arm  shall  come  upon  the  Chaldeans. 

Isaiah  49:1 

King  James: 

Listen,  O  isles,  unto  me;  and 
hearken,  ye  people,  from  afar;  The 
Lord  hath  called  me  from  the 
womb;  from  the  bowels  of  my 
mother  hath  he  made  mention  of 
my  name. 

Septuagint: 

Hear  ye,  islands,  artd  give  atten- 
tion nations  [or  Gentiles].  'For  a 
long  time  shall  he  stand,'  saith  the 
Lord.  From  the  womb  of  my  moth- 
er [or  since  I  was  born]  he  called 
my  name. 

Book  of  Mormon: 

And  again:  Hearken,  O  ye  house 
of  Israel,  all  ye  that  are  broken  off 
and  are  driven  out,  because  of  the 
wickedness  of  the  pastors  of  my 
people;  yea,  all  ye  that  are  broken 
off,  that  are  scattered  abroad,  who 
are  of  my  people,  O  house  of  Israel. 
Listen,  O  isles,  unto  me,  .  .  .  [The 
rest  is  like  the  King  James.] 

Isaiah  49:13 

King  James: 

Sing,  O  heavens;  and  be  joyful, 
O  earth;  and  break  forth  into  sing- 
ing, O  mountains :  for  the  Lord  hath 


146 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


comforted  his  people,  and  will  have 
mercy  upon  his  afflicted. 

Septuagint: 

Rejoice,  [O]  heavens,  and  cele- 
brate O  earth,  let  the  mountains 
break  [out]  in  jubilation  and  the 
hills  in  righteousness;  because  God 
hath  had  mercy  upon  his  people 
and  the  humble  of  his  people  he  has 
forgiven. 

Book  of  Mormon: 

Sing,  O  heavens;  and  be  joyful, 
O  earth;  for  the  feet  of  those  who 
are  in  the  east  shall  be  established; 
and  break  forth  into  singing,  O 
mountains;  for  they  shall  be  smitten 
no  more;  for  the  Lord  hath  com- 
forted his  people  and  will  have 
mercy  upon  his  afflicted. 
(To  be  continued) 

(A  comparison  of  the  variations  of 
these  scriptures  will  appear  next 
month. ) 

FOOTNOTES 

XR.  Hausfeld,  in  Mankind,  6  (Novem- 
ber 1963),  p.  50. 

£IQS  (Serekh  Scroll),  IX,  21-22. 

''Ibid.,  IV,  5-6;  VIII,  11-12. 

4Matt.  17:9;   Mark  9:9;  Luke  9:36. 

sMark  11:33. 

^Clementine  Recognitions,  I,  52. 

"Ibid.,  II,  4. 

8E.  R.  Goodenough,  Jewish  Symbols  in 
the  Greco-Roman  Period  (New  York: 
Bollingen  Foundation,  1953),  I,  18-19. 

"Ibid.,  p.  21. 

wIbid.,  p.  19. 

X1H.  J.  Schoeps,  in  W.  D.  Davies  and 
D.  Daube  (eds.),  The  Background  of  the 
New  Testament  and  Its  Eschatology 
(Cambridge,  1956),  p.  123. 

UH.  Nibley,  in  Jewish  Quarterly  Re- 
view, 50  (1959),  pp.  99f. 

13C.  C.  Torrey,  The  Apocryphal  Litera- 
ture (London:  H.  Milford,  1945),  pp. 
14f. 

14R.  H.  Charles,  Apocrypha  and  Pseu- 
depigrapha  of  the  Old  Testament  (Ox- 
ford, 1913),  I,  vii. 

"Goodenough,  op,  cit.,  p.  9. 

18H.  Nibley,  in  Church  History,  30 
(1961),  pp.  12f. 

"Origen,  contra  Celsum,  in  Migne, 
Patrol.  Graec,  XI,  933. 

18Above,  note 

19F.  M.  Cross,  Jr.,  The  Ancient  Library 
of  Qumran  and  Modern  Biblical  Studies 
(New  York:   Doubleday,  1958),  p.   132. 

™The  Church  News,  July  29,  1961, 
p.  10. 

21Cross,  op.  cit.,  pp.  128-144,  discusses 
the  subject  at  length. 

"Ibid.,  p.  132. 

^Ibid.,  p.  135. 

21".  .  .  the  question  of  which  witness  is 
superior  is  another  problem,"  Ibid.,  p. 
133. 


Is  your  church  any  place  to  skimp 
on  carpet  quality? 


'No!"  say  the  architects  who  specify  for 
so  many  of  the  stately  new  Mormon 
church  buildings.  Good  carpet,  they 
point  out,  absorbs  sound,  saves  on  main- 
tenance costs.  And,  of  course,  improves 
appearance. 

Not   surprisingly,   Bigelow   Gropoint* 
(above)  gets  the  nod. 

Long-wearing  Gropoint's  all-wool  loop 
pile   softens  noise  to  a  hushed  quiet. 


And  Gropoint's  19  colors  make  it  adapt- 
able to  any  decor. 

But  Gropoint  is  just  one  of  many 
Bigelows  whose  quality  befits  Mormon 
church  buildings.  There  are  others,  in- 
cluding styles  for  every  public  building, 
every  home.  Bigeiow  has  or  can  custom- 
create  the  perfect  carpet.  We've  done 
it  since  1825. 


Bigelow^ 


RUGS   &    CARPETS   SINCE    1825 


FEBRUARY   1965 


147 


IN  THE  FAMILY 


•  As  this  page  is  being  printed,  the  alert,  active 
families  of  the  Church  have  held  four  family  home 
evenings.  New  to  this  tried  and  true  family  activity 
has  been  the  commencement  of  a  series  of  gospel 
lessons,  one  for  each  week's  gathering,  for  use  as 
circumstances  suggest,  as  indicated  in  President 
McKay's  introductory  letter.  This  is  in  harmony  with 
the  great  revelation  that  parents  should  teach  their 
children  to  know  the  gospel,  to  accept  its  principles 
and  ordinances,  and  to  live  by  them.  Many  people 
have  testified  of  the  joy  which  comes  from  teaching 
the  gospel  principles  to  new  members;  fewer  have 
spoken  of  the  joy  of  bringing  the  same  light  of  truth 
into  the  eyes  of  their  own  children.  Often  this  pleasure 
has  been  left  in  the  hands  of  the  teachers  of  the 
various  classes  in  the  auxiliaries. 


The  lessons  to  be  taught  form  only  one  phase  of  the 
teaching.  These  are,  in  a  way,  formal  instruction  in  the 
sense  that  each  explains  a  topic  dealing  with  truth.  But 
all  the  while  there  is  a  more  subtle  teaching  going  on. 
For  whether  the  lesson  be  taught  formally  or  in- 
formally, its  value  to  the  child  depends  on  his  relation- 
ship to  his  parents.  Given  a  feeling  of  kinship  to  his 
father,  a  child  is  ready  to  absorb  the  teaching. 

Success  in  this  feeling  of  rapport  does  not  come 
unaided.  Fathers  and  mothers  must  exhibit  to  their 
children  their  own  feeling  of  love  for  each  other  and 
the  children.  This  is  done  in  subtle  ways  and  must  be 
constantly  practised  by  the  parents. 

Here  are  a  few  suggestions: 

1.  Father,  arise  and  help  with  the  children  while 
mother  is  getting  breakfast. 


Photographs  on  these  two  pages  feature  the  Robert  J.  and  LouJean  Tingey 
family,  Holladay  9th  Ward,  Olympus  (Utah)  Stake.  Children  are;  Robert  (11), 
Richard  (10),  Stephen  (7),  Douglas  (U),  and  Craig  (1).  The  girl  is  Lori 
Stevenson  (8),  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  W.  Stevenson. 


148 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


2.  If  possible  the  family  should  eat  breakfast  at  a 
table  where  all  may  sit  together.  The  minimum  for  this 
is  one  meal  a  day.  The  nerves  of  mothers  are  calm  if 
fathers  have  the  small  children  under  control. 

3.  Morning  prayer  should  be  said  as  the  family 
gathers  for  breakfast.  This  should  not  be  slipshod  or 
hurried.  Children  take  turns  and  should  be  taught  for 
whom  to  pray  and  about  what  to  pray. 

3.  Evenings,  as  father  returns  from  work,  he  turns 
to  and  assists  with  the  children.  If  he  has  meetings 
which  force  him  to  leave  home,  he  may  need  to  do 
some  planning.  Evening  is  when  children  need  their 
fathers.  Any  mother  needs  a  few  moments  respite 
while  she  puts  the  finishing  touches  on  supper.  This 
is  the  time  to  postpone  the  newspaper  and  the  tele- 
vision. 

4.  Sunday  morning  father  leads  his  sons  to  priest- 
hood meeting  and  later,  the  whole  family  to  Sunday 
School.  After  Sunday  School— this  is  the  time  when 
dinner  is  to  be  served— an  organized  family  effort  will 
make  the  dinner  time  a  happier  time  for  everyone. 
After  dinner  many  families  sink  into  lethargy.  The 
small  children  seek  entertainment  with  children  their 
own  ages.  Larger  children  often  play  rock  and  roll 
music  or  watch  sports  events  or  have  other  entertain- 
ment. Here  is  the  greatest  opportunity  for  parents  to 
guide  children  in  proper  Sabbath  observance  and  to 
cement  their  own  relation  to  their  children. 

Proper  activities  with  children  during  the  week  and 
on  Sunday  will  give  depth  and  meaning  to  the  family 
home  night.  Wise  parents  will  make  the  right  things 
happen. 


(49 


J) 


D 


I 


MjuQ 


Jiejfco:.. 


BY  JOSEPH   GERRARD  STRINGHAM 

•  "God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way  his  wonders  to 
perform."  (William  Cowper.) 

I  am  thankful  for  a  vivid  imagination  which  has 
accompanied  me  through  my  life.  I  believe  that  what 
I  dream  and  imagine  is  an  accurate  measure  of  my 
potential.  I  am  not  limited  except  by  the  fetters  on  my 
imagination  that  I  myself  have  put  there. 

God  gave  me  several  talents  to  develop  that  I  may 
become  an  individual  with  a  unique  calling.  I  shall 
not,  perhaps,  ever  attain  all  my  childhood  dreams, 
for  I  doubt  that  I  shall  be  man  enough  actually  to 
develop  all  that  I  could  be.  All  that  I  am  now  I  once 
dreamed  I  would  be. 

My  parents  kept  me  from  being  lazy  by  training 
me  to  work.  I  worked  at  one  thing  and  dreamed 
another,  and  it  wasn't  long  before  I  found  out  that  I 
could  use  my  energies  pretending  I  was  my  imagined 
self.  With  a  small  amount  of  accurate  pretending  and 
a  large  amount  of  active  work,  I  improved  in  school— 
I  made  new  friends— oh,  yes,  I  made  mistakes  too,  but 
I  grew  both  emotionally  and  spiritually. 

I  am  thankful  that  there  is  a  God  who  is  interested 
in  my  development  as  an  individual— to  gain  knowl- 
edge and  experience.  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints  develops  truth  in  youth.  Purify 
thought  to  purify  action.  In  growing  up  I  heard  and 
often  read  the  words,  "Be  Honest  with  Yourself."  That 
is  what  I  have  tried  to  do. 

The  gospel  of  Christ  is  of  truth,  of  knowledge,  of 
growth,  of  participation,  of  love,  and  of  devotion  to 
work. 


Joseph  Garrard  Stringham  is 

the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard 
B.  Stringham  of  Bountiful,  Utah. 
He  graduated  from  Bountiful  High 
School  with  honors  in  June  1963. 
He  was  President  of  The  Chess 
Club.  He  studied  Spanish  and 
Arabic  and  went  on  a  Student 
Tour  of  Europe  and  the  Middle 
East.  He  was  a  Sterling  Scholar 
in  Industrial  Arts  but  qualified  in 
three  other  categories.  Is  an  Eagle 
Scout  and  has  his  "Duty  to  God" 
Award.  This  past  year  he  attended 
the  University  of  Utah  on  a 
scholarship  in  the  School  of 
Architecture.  At  present  he  is  to 
become  a  Missionary  in  the 
Southern  Far  East  Mission. 


I  am  thankful  for  the  consequence  of  my  imagina- 
tion. What  appeared  to  me  as  diverse  and  unrelated 
talents  have  been  clarified  after  a  year  of  college 
and  travel.  These  accomplishments  have  been  invalu- 
able to  me  during  this  past  year. 

Bit  by  bit  my  testimony  has  grown  through  the 
successful  application  of  gospel  principles— a  morning 
prayer  to  set  me  in  the  right  attitude  to  receive 
another  day— the  sacred  priesthood  to  stay  worthy 
of  using  it  at  every  opportunity— a  moment  to  stop 
and  recall  my  faith  in  Christ.  There  is  the  spiritual 
feeling  I  get,  just  like  breathing  air  after  a  rainstorm, 
when  the  Holy  Ghost  leaves  my  mind  clearer,  sharper, 
and  more  convinced  of  what  I  know,  all  these  flow  into 
a  testimony.  My  mission  shall  serve  as  another  tribu- 
tary to  the  river  of  testimony.  And  where  shall  this 
river  go?  I  hold  it  as  a  duty  that  I  should  raise  the 
family  I  shall  have  in  continual  sight  of  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  bring  others  to  a  knowledge  of  Christ. 


ISO 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Gerald  R.  Miller— I  was  born 
of  goodly  parents,  February  21st, 
1947  in  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
while  my  father  was  a  student  at 
the  B.Y.U.  I  have  three  younger 
brothers:  Bruce  16,  Kim  10,  and 
Kevin  4. 

My  father  is  Reid  C.  Miller,  a 
Seventy  in  the  Bountiful  North 
Stake.  He  is  presently  on  the 
faculty  of  the  University  of  Utah, 
teaching  in  the  Speech  and 
Hearing  Department. 

My  mother  is  Florency  Mecham 
Miller,  a  teacher  in  our  Ward 
Primary  Association. 


BY  GERALD   (JERRY)    R.  MILLER 

•  I  have  lived  most  of  my  seventeen  years  in  Portland, 
Oregon,  where  my  father  taught  in  the  Portland  city 
schools  and  the  Hosford  School  for  the  Deaf.  It  was  in 
Oregon  that  I  began  to  realize  that  Mormonism  had 
much  more  to  offer  than  other  Christian  religions. 
Our  family  has  always  been  active  in  the  Church  and 
has  practised  living  the  principles  of  the  gospel. 
Through  the  concepts,  precepts,  and  examples  set 
by  my  parents  and  taught  by  the  Church  and 
the  power  of  the  priesthood  exercised  on  several 
occasions  by  my  father  within  our  family,  my  testi- 
mony has  become  a  deep-rooted  reality  to  me— roots 
that  go  back  several  generations.  I  owe  much  to  my 
ancestors,  for  most  of  them  were  of  good,  sturdy,  and 
faithful  pioneer  stock. 


I  am  a  priest  in  the  Bountiful  27th  Ward,  a  seminary 
student,  and  a  senior  at  Bountiful  High  School.  I  am 
interested  in  vocal  music.  With  it  I  enjoyed  playing 
one  of  the  leading  rolls  in  Bountiful  High's  presenta- 
tion of  Flower  Drum  Song  last  spring.  My  further 
plans  include  a  mission,  then  college  with  a  degree  in 
law.  Of  course,  a  temple  marriage  and  a  family  of 
my  own  are  special  plans. 

I  am  only  seventeen.  I  have  yet  a  lot  to  learn  and  to 
understand.  I  am  curious  and  have  a  thirst  to  learn 
all  I  can  about  the  gospel.  But  I  have  sufficient  con- 
victions and  testimony  now  that  I  know  and  love  the 
gospel  that  brings  joy  and  hope  and  purpose  to  my 
life.  If  all  the  people  of  non-LDS  religions  could  see 
and  understand  the  plan  the  Church  offers  its  mem- 
bers, they  would  take  a  second  look  on  life  and  try 
hard  to  make  their  lives  useful  and  satisfying.  In 
practising  and  studying  our  religion,  I  can  surely 
appreciate  my  membership.  Living  with  the  influence 
of  the  Church  in  our  home,  I  have  come  to  realize  the 
many  blessings  that  help  to  keep  LDS  families  to- 
gether. To  me  this  Church  gives  purpose  to  life  now 
and  reason  for  preparing  for  eternity.  With  the  gospel 
plan,  we  can  look  ahead  to  an  exalted  life  of  purpose 
and  happiness. 

Many  people  who  don't  understand  our  temple 
work  think  it  strange  and  senseless.  But  to  me  it 
fits  right  into  the  great  plan.  The  temples  on  the  earth 
today  make  it  possible  for  us  to  live  with  our  families 
for  eternity  if  we  only  obey  and  live  the  command- 
ments given  to- us. 

I  want  so  much  to  know  and  understand  the  com- 
plete gospel  plan,  so  I  can  instruct  my  family  to  try 
and  work  hard  to  obtain  a  happy  eternal  life. 

A  testimony  of  the  family  involves  my  parents  and 
their  experience  with  the  power  of  the  priesthood.  Just 
four  years  ago,  Mother  became  extremely  ill  just 
prior  to  giving  birth  to  my    (Continued  on  page  160) 


FEBRUARY    V965 


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Toasted  French  Bread 
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I      '  '  : 

77i.e  guests:  fl  to  r^  Brother  and  Sister  Brent 
Davis,  Brother  and  Sister  J.  Claire  Maughan, 
and  Brdflier^kyid  Sister  Douglas  Valadez,  all  of 
Laguna  Beach  Ward  (Calif.) 


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•  Once  upon  a  time  there  lived  a  young  couple  in 
love  with  each  other,  but  nevertheless  very  lonely. 
They  had  moved  away  from  their  home,  parents, 
brothers,  sisters,  and  friends  to  a  town  far  away,  The 
city  was  strange,  in  it  each  face  a  blank,  no  "remember 
when"  with  anyone.  Each  day  stood  alone  and  long, 
each  person  a  casual  nonentity.  No  such  thing  as  a 
background,  just  blank  grounds.  No  family  to  lean  on. 
The  streets  were  crowded  with  hurrying  people,  but 
their  every  destination  was  a  mystery.  Dozens,  hun- 
dreds, even  millions  of  people,  and  there  was  no  one 
to  care  if  they  got  up  each  day.  No  one  to  care,  such 
sad  words,  but  most  of  us  at  sometime  or  another  in 
our  lives  have  come  as  strangers  to  a  strange  town. 

How  true,  no  man  is  an  island;  each  man  needs  a 
friend.  It  isn't  fun  to  stand  alone.  Jim  and  Jane  were 
lonely,  It  is  so  foolish  to  stay  lonely,  to  stand  off  from 
the  world.  In  each  apartment  house  on  every  street 
there  are  other  lonely  people  who  also  want  to  find 
a  friend.  How  can  this  be  done?  It  isn't  easy  or  even 
very  safe  to  walk  up  to  a  total  stranger  and  say,  "Come 
to  my  house  and  talk  with  me."  But  a  stranger  in  a 
strange  town  can  pick  up  the  telephone  directory  and 
find  the  address  of  his  church.  Doors  are  wide  open 
in  churches,  and  friends  are  available  as  one  makes 
oneself  useful. 

A  real  friend  cannot  be  bought,  but  he  can  be 
earned.  Another  avenue  to  friendship  is  in  identical 
hobbies,  and  again  there  are  places  such  as  the  YWCA 
and  YMCA  in  which  crafts  and  hobbies  are  taught. 
Persons  with  the  same  intelligence  can  be  found  in 
adult  education  classes.  Learning  should  never  stop, 
so  a  trip  to  school  can  pay  many  dividends. 

Friendship  street  can  also  be  paved  with  service. 
Any  city,  small  or  large,  can  use  volunteer  service. 
There  are  the  hospitals,  so  short  of  help;  blind  centers 
calling  for  volunteer  readers,  volunteer  eyes  for  those 
in  the  dark;  children's  hospitals  that  need  smiles  and 
gaiety  and  the  "know  how"  to  a  child's  frightened  heart. 
Then  there  are  teenagers  in  a  detention  home  because 
of  some  mistake  they  have  made.  They  need  someone 
to  build  their  egos  in  the  right  direction.  Someone  is 
needed  to  teach  a  girl  how  to  be  her  very  best  self. 
She  needs  someone  to  teach  her  how  to  be  a  lady 
and  to  teach  her  grooming  habits  that  will  open  the 
right  doors  to  her  and  all  the  while  be  building  the 
inside  of  her  so  she  will  be  a  real  person.  A  boy  needs 
men  and  women,  too,  to  help  him  be  a  part  of  a  group, 
to  help  him  find  his  special  possibilities.  Lifelong 
friends  can  be  made  helping. 

After  these  friends  are  made,  a  good  way  to  strength- 
en this  friendship  is  in  the  home.  Jim  and  Jane  decided 
that  Sunday  evening  after  church  was  an  ideal  time  to 
bind  friendships.  To  eat  together,  to  stir  each  other's 
minds,  and  to  just  sit  and  relax  is  rewarding. 

The  ending  of  this  story  is,  a  happy  one.  The  city 
soon  became  their  town,  people  their  very  special 
friends,  and  Jim  and  Jane  lived  happily  ever  after. 


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^^         SUNDAY 
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(to  be  prepared  on  Saturday) 

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Meat  Salad* 

Sesame  Rings— Postum 
APpJe  Cake  Dessert* 

SUNDAY 
SUPPERS 

(to  be  prepared  on  Saturday) 


#8 


Tiny  Cheese  Meat  Balls* 
Crackers-Hot  Tomato  Juice 

Fresh  Fruit 


J* 


SUNDAY 
SUPPERS 

(to  be  prepared  on  Saturday) 

#9 

Shrimp  Salad 
Peanut  Bread* 
Cheese  and  Fruit  Tray 


¥  SUNDAY 

SUPpERS  (to  be  pre^P11*^ 

Prepared  on  Saturday) 

#10 

Sunday  Salad* 


Today's  Family 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Chili  Con  Came  (with  corn  bread 
—serves  6) 

2  15-ounce  cans  chili  con  carne 

1  egg 

lVs  cups  milk 

V4  cup  flour 

1V4  cups  corn  meal 

2  tablespoons  sugar 

1  tablespoon  baking  powder 
1  teaspoon  salt 

3  tablespoons  melted  lard 

Vz  cup  grated  Cheddar  cheese 

Beat  the  egg  until  thick.  Add  the 
milk  and  all  other  ingredients  except 
the  cheese.  Pour  into  12  hot  greased 
corn-stick  pans.  Bake  at  450  de- 
grees F.  10  to  15  minutes.  Heat  the 
chili  con  carne.  Spoon  over  the 
corn-bread'  sticks  allowing  two 
sticks  for  each  serving.  Sprinkle 
with  grated  cheese. 

Tarty  Stew  on  Rice  (serves  8) 

3  pounds  boneless   veal  shoulder 

cut  in  1^-inch  cubes 
Vz  cup  flour 

3  teaspoons  salt 

Vi  teaspoon  pepper 

Vi  cup  shortening 

2  medium  onions,  quartered 

1  cup  sliced  celery 

2  cups  water 
Dash  of  thyme 

1  medium  head  cauliflower,  bro- 
ken into  flowerettes 

1  4-ounce  can  mushroom  stems 
and  pieces,  drained 

1  cup  dairy  sour  cream 

4  tablespoons  chopped  parsley 

Mix  the  flour,  salt,  and  pepper. 
Dredge  meat  with  seasoned  flour. 
Brown  meat  in  the  shortening.  Pour 
off  fat.  Add  onion,  celery,  water, 
and  thyme.  Cover  tightly  and  cook 
slowly  1  hour  and  15  minutes.  Add 
the  cauliflower  and  continue  cook- 
ing slowly  about  30  minutes  or 
until  the  meat  is  tender.  Add  the 
mushrooms,  sour  cream,  and  pars- 
ley. Heat,  do  not  boil.  Serve  over 
hot  cooked  rice. 

Pretty  Pink  Bisque  ( 12  servings ) 

In  a  large  saucepan  blend  3  IOV2- 
ounce  cans  condensed  cream-of- 
mushroom  soup  until  smooth;  stir 


in  3  10V2-ounce  cans  condensed 
tomato  soup,  4V2  soup  cans  milk  and 
1%  soup  cans  light  cream.  Heat,  but 
do  not  boil.  Garnish  each  serving 
with  a  generous  sprinkling  of 
toasted  sesame  seeds. 

Supper  Supreme  (serves  6) 

6  slices  toasted  bread 

V*  cup  soft  butter 
2%  cups  shredded  Cheddar  cheese 
3  eggs,  slightly  beaten 
2  10^-ounce  cans  tomato  soup 

Vz  teaspoon  salt 

Vz  teaspoon  dry  mustard 

Spread  the  butter  on  toasted  bread. 
Cut  each  slice  in  1-inch  squares. 
Grease  a  2-quart  casserole;  place  in 
alternate  layers  the  toast  and 
cheese,  ending  with  a  top  layer  of 
cheese.  Combine  the  eggs,  soup, 
salt,  and  mustard;  pour  over  the 
bread-cheese  layers.  Bake  at  325 
degrees  F.  for  about  1  hour.  Gar- 
nish with  chopped  green  peppers 
and  parsley.  Serve  piping  hot. 

Luncheon  Meat  Salad  (serves  4) 

1  can  luncheon  meat,  cut  julienne 

style 
3  cups    coarsely    chopped    young 

spinach 
1  cup  coarsely  chopped  lettuce 

1  can  water  chestnuts,  drained  and 
sliced  thin 

Y4  pound  Cheddar  cheese,  cut  into 
y2-inch  cubes 

2  tablespoons  chopped  onion 
Oil  and  vinegar  dressing 

Lightly  toss  together  the  ingredi- 
ents. Add  enough  oil  and  vinegar 
dressing  to  moisten.  Serve  immedi- 
ately. 

Apple  Cake  Dessert  ( 16  servings ) 

1  package  apple-spice  cake  mix 
lV*  cups  water 

2  eggs,  unbeaten 

1  cup  whipping  cream 

2  tablespoons  sugar 

Vs  teaspoon  ground  cinnamon 
V4  teaspoon  grated  lemon  rind 
V2  cup  applesauce 

Prepare  the  cake  mix  with  the 
water  and  eggs  as  directed  on  pack- 
age. Bake  in  a  13x9x2  inch  pan. 
Cool  cake.  Cut  into  squares.  Com- 
bine the  sugar,  cinnamon,  and 
whipping  cream.  Fold  in  the  lemon 


rind  and  applesauce.  Top  each 
square  with  the  mixture. 

Tiny  Meat  Balls  (makes  about  2Vfe 
dozen ) 

%  cup  slightly  crushed  corn  flakes 

1  pound  ground  beef 

1  teaspoon  salt 
V*  teaspoon  pepper 

1  teaspoon  Worcestershire  sauce 
3  tablespoons  tomato  juice   (ap- 
proximately ) 

1%  tablespoons      crumbled     bleu 
cheese 

Combine  all  ingredients  and  mix 
well.  Shape  into  tiny  meat  balls. 
Brown  on  all  sides.  Serve  on 
wooden  picks. 

Peanut  Bread  ( 1  loaf ) 

%  cup  butter  or  margarine 

2  eggs 

1  cup  chopped  salted  peanuts 
1  cup  mashed  ripe  bananas 
1%  cups  flour 
1  teaspoon  soda 
1  teaspoon  vanilla 

Cream  the  shortening  and  sugar, 
add  the  unbeaten  eggs,  and  beat 
thoroughly.  Add  the  chopped  pea- 
nuts. Add  the  mashed  bananas 
alternately  with  the  flour  and  soda 
which  have  been  sifted  together. 
Mix  lightly.  Turn  into  a  greased 
8Yzx4yzx2yz  inch  loaf  pan.  Bake  at 
350  degrees  F.  about  an  hour  and 
10  minutes. 

Sunday  Salad  (serves  6) 

1  3-ounce  package  lime  gelatin 
1  cup  boiling  water 
1  3-ounce  package  cream  cheese 
1  cup  small  curd  cottage  cheese 

Dissolve  the  lime  gelatin  in  boiling 
water.  Cream  the  cheeses  together 
until  smooth.  Blend  in  the  gelatin 
and  pour  into  a  lV2-quart  mold. 
Chill  until  jelly-like  consistency. 

1  12-ounce  package  frozen  blue- 
berries, thawed 
1  3-ounce  package  lemon  gelatin 
1  cup  boiling  water 
V2  teaspoon  grated  lemon  rind 
V4  teaspoon  grated  orange  rind 

Drain  the  blueberries  and  reserve 
the  syrup.  Dissolve  the  lemon  gela- 
tin in  boiling  water.  Add  enough 
cold  water  to  the  drained  blueberry 


154 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


syrup  to  make  %  cup.  Stir  into 
lemon  gelatin  mixture.  Add  the 
lemon  and  orange  rind.  Chill  until 
jelly-like  consistency,  then  fold  in 
the  blueberries.  Pour  over  the 
cheese-lime  layer  and  chill  until 
firm.  Unmold  on  salad  greens  and 
garnish  with  a  thin  slice  of  lime  on 
each  serving. 


■:...:'..  ,i 


•»*!!% 


FOR  FAMILY  HOME  EVENING 

Home,  Sweet  Home 

A  special  family  night  should  be 
filled  with  love,  faith,  and  under- 
standing plus  learning,  fun,  and 
food.  Each  member  of  the  family 
must  contribute  his  part.  The  atti- 
tude every  member  brings  to  the 
gathering  is  important.  Father, 
mother,  and  child  are  each  an  im- 
portant part  of  the  evening's  suc- 
cess. After  the  lesson  has  stirred 
minds,  and  love  has  stirred  the 
hearts,  perhaps  a  little  treat  will 
stir  the  inner  child.  Try  this  deli- 
cious crisp. 

Nut  and  Popcorn  Bowl 

3  gallons  popped  corn 
2%  cups  granulated  sugar 

1-pound  package  brown  sugar 
¥/*  cups  dark  corn  syrup 
IV2  cups  hot  water 

2  teaspoons  salt 

V2  cup  butter  or  margarine 

2  teaspoons  soda 

2  teaspoons  vanilla 

1  to  2  cups  nuts 

Mix  together  the  corn  syrup, 
water,  and  sugars,  and  cook  over 
medium  heat,  stirring  frequently 
until  it  reaches  290  degrees  F.  or 
to  the  snap  stage  when  tried  in  cold 
water.  Stir  in  the  salt  and  continue 
cooking  to  300  degrees  or  for  3 
minutes,  stirring  constantly.  Wash 
down  the  sides  of  the  pan  during 
cooking  process.  Remove  the  syrup 
from  die  heat,  and  stir  in  butter, 
soda,  and  vanilla.  Pour  slowly  over 
the  popped  corn  and  the  nuts,  and 
stir  lightly  until  coated.  Turn  out 
on  a  clean  buttered  surface.  When 
cold  break  into  pieces. 


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l/2  cup  butter,  2  tbsp.  water;  cool  to  lukewarm.  Pour  over  dough. 
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DESERET  NEWS 


THE    MOUNTAIN     WEST 


II 


FEBRUARY    1963 


155 


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Teaching 

(Continued  from  page  105) 

that  this  was  not  a  self-assumed 
task  on  the  part  of  Joseph  Smith, 
but  rather,  the  work  and  the  selec- 
tion of  the  brethren  to  do  the  work 
were  according  to  the  Lord's  ap- 
pointment. 

Procedure  and  method.  In  the 
generally  accepted  use  of  the  term, 
it  would  probably  be  incorrect  to 
say  that  the  Prophet  "translated" 
the  Bible.  Actually,  it  was  some- 
thing of  a  revision,  for,  as  far  as  is 
known,  the  only  text  used  was  a 
large  family-size  edition  of  the  King 
James  Version.  The  work  was  ap- 
parently not  done  on  a  basis  of 
ancient  manuscripts  nor  with  a 
knowledge  of  biblical  languages. 
However,  the  language  of  the  reve- 
lations as  recorded  in  the  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  (see  D&C  76:15; 
45:60-61;  93:53)  refers  to  the  work 
as  a  "translation,"  as  does  also  the 
Prophet  in  his  own  writings.  ( DEC 
1,  368,  365;  4,  187,  493. )  For  these 
and  other  reasons  to  be  discussed 
later,  the  writer  believes  that  the 
term  "translation"  is  the  preferred 
title. 

Although  the  Prophet  seemingly 
did  not  leave  a  detailed  account  of 
his  procedure  in  making  the  trans- 
lation, it  is  possible  to  frame  a 
partial  reconstruction  of  it. 

That  it  was  to  be  a  revelatory 
work  is  evident  from  the  Lord's 
instructions:  "Thou  shalt  ask,  and 
my  scriptures  shall  be  given  as  I 
have  appointed  .  .  .  until  ye  have 
received  them  in  full."  (D&C  42: 
56-57. ) 

The  phrases  "thou  shalt  ask," 
"shall  he  given,"  and  "until  ye  have 
received"  are  informative  and  sug- 
gest the  manner  in  which  the 
Prophet  was  to  proceed  with  the 
task.   (Italics  added.) 

Apparently  the  Prophet  did  not 
always  know  beforehand  what 
changes  were  needed  nor  what  to 
expect,  for  on  occasion  he  expressed 
surprise  at  what  was  "given"  him. 
One  passage  is  of  particular  in- 
terest: 

"For  while  we  were  doing  the 
work  of  translation,  which  the  Lord 
had  appointed  unto  us,  we  came  to 
the  twenty-ninth  verse  of  the  fifth 
chapter  of  John,  which  was  given 
unto  us  as  follows: 

"Speaking  of  the  resurrection  of 


the  dead,  concerning  those  who 
shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of 
Man,  and  shall  come  forth— 

"They  who  have  done  good  in 
the  resurrection  of  the  just,  and 
they  who  have  done  evil  in  the 
resurrection   of   the   unjust— 

"Now  this  caused  us  to  marvel, 
for  it  was  given  unto  us  of  the 
Spirit"  (D&C  76:15-18.  Italics 
added. ) 

Thus,  at  least  some  of  the  changes 
were  made,  not  on  the  basis  of 
knowing  the  ancient  language,  but 
as  information  given  "of  the  Spirit." 

A  complete  manuscript  of  the 
Bible  was  not  made  by  the  Prophet. 
The  full  text  of  the  books  of  Gene- 
sis, Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  and  the 
first  six  chapters  of  John  was  writ- 
ten out  by  hand,  but  this  method 
proved  too  cumbersome  and  a 
shorter  method  was  devised  where- 
in only  corrections  and  additions 
were  written. 

Amount  of  change.  The  Prophet 
made  thousands  of  changes  in  the 
text  of  the  Bible.  There  are  at  least 
128  verses  added  to  the  New  Testa- 
ment and  1475  verses  changed.  Also  . 
there  are  thousands  of  changed  and 
added  verses  in  the  Old  Testament. 
One  whole  book,  the  Song  of  Solo- 
mon, was  rejected  by  the  Prophet 
as  not  being  inspired  scripture.  A 
great  many  of  the  changes  are  in 
the  books  of  Genesis  and  Matthew, 
but  changes  are  found  in  every 
book  except  Esther  and  the  First 
and  Second  Epistles  of  John. 

Upon  inquiry,  the  Prophet  re- 
ceived the  revelation  known  as 
section  ninety-one  of  the  Doctrine 
and  Covenants,  stating  that  the 
Apocrypha  need  not  be  translated. 

Style  of  the  changes.  The  manner 
in  which  new  material  is  presented 
in  the  text  of  the  Inspired  Transla- 
tion is  about  as  significant  as  what 
the  passage  says.  Sperry  and  Van 
Wagoner  have  observed  that: 
"Whenever  additions  or  changes 
have  been  made,  the  language  and 
style  used  is  the  same  as  that  of 
the  original  author  in  whose  book 
the  change  is  made,  as  far  as  that 
can  be  determined."  (Sperry  and 
Van  Wagoner,  The  Inspired  Revi- 
sion of  the  Bible,  Independence, 
Mo.:  Zion's  Printing  and  Publishing 
Company,  1947,  p.  19. ) 

Some  changes  are  highly  doc- 
trinal and  cause  abrupt  alterations 
in  meaning.  Others  produce  a 
clearer  understanding  by  lessening 


156 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


ambiguity,  yet  do  not  greatly  alter 
the  sense.  Frequently  the  changes 
are  so  subtle  as  to  offer  only  a  shade 
of  different  meaning.  Many  of  the 
changes  have  importance  primarily 
because  of  the  emphasis  they  place 
upon  certain  basic  doctrines.  Addi- 
tions  are  always   woven  into   the 


narrative  and  blend  into  the  body 
of  the  work  so  well  that  only  a 
careful  examination  with  the  King 
James  text  reveals  that  a  change  has 
been  made. 

Additions  sometimes  appear  to 
be  comments  by  the  individual 
authors,  but  at  times  explanatory 


[THE 

SPOKEN 
WORD  a 


BEGINNING:  A  BIG  PART  OF 
ANY  PROCESS 


RICHARD  I_.  EVANS 

Recently  we  cited  this  sentence  from  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes:  "The  great 
thing  in  this  world  is  not  so  much  where  we  are,  but  in  what  direction  we 
are  moving."1  We  applied  it  then  to  repentance,  but  it  may  well  be  applied 
to  other  considerations  also.  We  seem  at  times  to  find  ourselves  in  ruts,  in 
discouragement,  sometimes  assuming  that  things  must  be  about  as  they 
are,  with  not  much  vision  or  encouragement  for  the  future.  There  are 
some  who  find  themselves  strongly  held  by  negative  or  harmful  habits, 
who  resign  themselves,  who  despair  from  doing  anything  different.  But 
we  need  to  learn  or  at  least  to  convince  ourselves  that  many  things  are 
possible— that  the  last  opportunity  has  not  yet  presented  itself,  that  the 
last  effort  has  not  been  put  forth  or  proved,  that  the  seemingly  improbable 
has  often  proved  possible.  Many  examples  could  be  given  of  those  beyond 
the  usual  years  who  have  moved  into  new  fields  as  if  they  were  yet  far 
younger,  who  have  developed  talents,  who  have  produced  significant 
works,  who  have  conquered  problems,  habits,  difficulties,  discouragement. 
But  even  the  young  find  themselves  in  ruts,  wasting  time,  wasting  oppor- 
tunity, not  wasting  it  deliberately,  but  wasting  it  simply  by  not  beginning, 
by  not  getting  up  and  going.  There  is  much  that  we  can  do  concerning 
ourselves,  and  there  is  little  others  can  do  for  us  without  our  own  interest 
and  involvement.  "We  cannot  live  better,"  said  Socrates,  "than  in  seeking 
to  become  better."2  We  have  read  somewhere  a  sentence  which  says: 
"Begin.  The  rest  is  easy."3  This,  of  course,  is  oversimplified,  but  it  is  true 
that  beginning  is  a  big  part  of  any  process— good  or  bad.  The  importance 
of  beginning  or  not  beginning  could  scarcely  be  overemphasized.  And 
one  of  the  main  things  to  remember  when  something  should  be  done  is 
to  begin,  to  move,  and  then  to  follow  through.  "There  is  nothing  so  fatal 
to  character,"  said  David  Lloyd  George,  "as  half-finished  tasks."4  "The 
greatest  requirement  for  success,"  said  Roy  Thomson,  "is  a  great  determi- 
nation to  succeed."5  "Whatever  principle  of  intelligence  we  attain  unto  in 
this  life,  .  .  "G  will  remain  with  us  everlastingly.  There  is  no  cut-off  point 
—no  time,  young  or  old,  to  give  up  learning  or  useful  interests  or  activities. 
Learning  and  doing  are  important  early  and  late  in  life.  "The  great  thing 
in  this  world  is  not  so  much  where  we  are,  but  in  what  direction  we 
are  moving."1 

KHiver  Wendell  Holmes   (1809-94),  American  poet  and  author. 

2Socrates   (469-399  BC),  Greek  philosopher. 

sAuthor  unknown. 

4David  Lloyd  George   (1863-1945),  English  statesman. 

BRoy  Thomson,  Time,  February  22,  1963. 

«D&C  130:18. 

"The  Spoken  Word,"  from  Temple  Square,  presented  over  KSL  and  the  Columbia 
Broadcasting  System,  November  29,  1964.  Copyright  1964. 


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FEBRUARY  1«65 


157 


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information  is  given  in  parentheses, 
leaving  the  reader  uncertain  wheth- 
er these  purport  to  be  parenthetical 
expressions  of  the  author  or  in- 
sertions by  the  Prophet  Joseph 
purely  for  clarification. 

Often  the  new  material  forms  a 
bridge  or  link  between  heretofore 
disjointed  and  seemingly  unrelated 
passages.  This  is  very  helpful  in 
giving  the  setting  or  circumstances 
that  drew  forth  some  particular 
comment  in  our  Savior's  teachings. 

Publication.  The  Church  does  not 
publish  the  entire  translation  made 
by  the  Prophet.  However,  certain 
portions  are  published  in  the  Pearl 
of  Great  Price  as  the  "Book  of 
Moses"  and  as  "An  Extract  from  a 
Translation  of  the  Bible"  from  the 
book  of  Matthew. 

An  entire  Bible  is  published  by 
the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints.  It  first 
appeared  in  1867  and  has  seen 
many  printings  since  that  time,  in- 
cluding an  edition  of  the  New 
Testament  and  the  Book  of  Mormon 
under  one  cover  in  the  year  1893. 

In  1944  a  "new  and  corrected" 
edition  containing  some  changes  in 
spelling  and  punctuation  and  some 
changed  wording  was  published  by 
the  Reorganized  Church. 

Perhaps  the  dominant  reason 
why  the  Church  has  not  published 
the  Inspired  Translation  is  that  it 
was  never  finished,  and  also  that 
no  direct  command  from  the  Lord 
has  been  received  to  complete  it. 
(D&C  42:56-58.) 

The  Inspired  Translation  is  not  a 
standard  work  of  the  Church.  If 
inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost  it  could 
be  entitled  to  the  status  of  "scrip- 
ture" (see  D&C  68:3-5)  and  be 
"profitable  for  doctrine,  ...  for 
correction,  [and]  for  instruction  in 
righteousness."  ( 2  Tim.  3: 16. )  What 
the  Prophet  did  is  valuable,  and 
anyone  who  will  make  a  word-by- 
word comparison  with  the  King 
James  Version  will  find  his  studies 
rewarding. 

(To  be  continued) 


For  a  more  extensive  account  of  the  manu- 
script of  the  Inspired  Translation,  see  Sidney  B. 
Sperry  and  Merrill  Y.  Van  Wagoner,  "The 
Inspired  Revision  of  the  Bible,"  The  Improve- 
ment Era,  April  through  September,  1940.  Also 
published  in  pamphlet  form  by  Zion's  Printing 
and  Publishing  Co.,  Independence,  Missouri, 
1947.  A  notable  work  was  also  done  by  Calvin 
Bartholomew,  "A  Comparison  of  the  Authorized 
Version  and  the  Inspired  Revision  of  Genesis." 
Unpublished  Master's  Thesis,  Brigham  Young 
University,  Provo,  Utah,  1949. 


158 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


The  Inheritance 

( Continued  from  page  95 ) 

saying,  "Rememberest  thou  when  I 
besought  thee  to  help  me  dig  in 
the  earth  that  water  might  flow  in 
from  the  river?  Behold,  this  is  what 
I  digged." 

And  Janthea  said,  astonished, 
"The  Lord  sent  not  the  rains  to  thy 
garden?" 

And  he  answered:  "Nay,  I  prayed, 
and  the  cattle  came;  and  when  I 
drove  them  forth,  I  beheld  the 
river;  and  the  Lord  inspired  me  to 
dig  in  the  earth  and  the  river  flowed 
into  my  field,  and  it  grew." 

Janthea,  in  anger,  cried  with  a 
loud  voice,  saying:  "Now  I  know 
of  a  surety  that  the  scriptures  are 
of  no  avail,  for  it  is  written  therein, 
If  a  man  love  God,  he  will  not 
forsake  him,'  yet  ye  perceive  that 
he  hath  forsaken  me." 

And  Dathan  laid  hold  on  Janthea 
and  commanded  him  to  silence  and 
spake  unto  him  as  with  a  voice  of 
thunder,  saying:  "God  was  good  to 
thee  and  gave  to  thee  a  garden  for 
an  inheritance,  even  as  I  also  had 
received;  and  when  the  rains  came 
not,  and  our  gardens  were  withered, 
the  Lord  sent  cattle  to  lead  me  to 
the  river;  and  he  showed  me,  as  it 
were,  what  I  should  do.  Now  God, 
in  his  goodness,  knowing  thy  gar- 
den to  be  also  withered,  sent  thee  to 
the  river;  and  when  I  was  come,  I 
beheld  thee,  mourning  thy  loss. 
But  when  I  besought  thee  to  help 
me  dig,  thou  wouldest  have  none 
of  it,  but  straightway  departed;  and 
in  that  hour  Satan  took  hold  on 
thee,  for  thou  hadst  forsaken  God. 
Who  art  thou  to  say  in  what  man- 
ner thy  garden  shall  be  restored? 
Fpr  ij:  is  written,  'Man  shall  live  by 
the  sweat  of  his  brow/  * 

And  Janthea  fell  down  and  wept 
and  asked  forgiveness  of  the  Lord; 
and  he  rose  up  and  builded  a  fence 
about  his  field  and  brought  water 
from  the  river  that  his  garden 
might  flourish;  and  when  his  trees 
bore  fruit,  he  gave  much  to  the 
poor,  „  for  he  said:  "God  hath 
showed  me  that  love  and  faith 
availeth  nothing  save  a  man  have 
also  charity  and  good  works.  Blessed 
be  God,  for  he  hath  showed  me 
how  to  make  for  myself  that  which 
I  would  have;  and  though  I  am  old, 
I  can  serve  him  yet  a  little  season 
in  the  earth." 


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HOWE  RENTS 

SALES  AND   IENTALS 


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486-0055 


This  I  Believe 
(Continued  from  page  151) 

youngest  brother.  Several  doctors 
( four  of  them  blood  specialists )  in- 
formed my  father  that  my  mother 
was  suffering  from  acute  leukemia 
and  that  she  was  expected  to  live 
but  a  few  days.  My  father  and  a 
close  friend  administered  to  her. 
Friends  in  our  stake  held  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer  in  her  behalf. 
Her  doctor,  a  devout  Seventh-day 
Adventist,  joined  in  fasting  and 
prayer.  Towards  evening  the  doctor 
summoned  my  father  and  told  him 
that  he  was  strongly  impressed  to 
deliver  the  baby  even  though  it 
was  over  a  month  early.  The  other 
doctors  strongly  objected.  Father 
felt  a  strange  urgency  and  agreed 
to  bring  the  baby.  It  was  accomp- 
lished easily.  The  following  week 
our  mother  was  home  with  us, 
much  to  the  amazement  of  the 
specialists,  for  they  could  not  find 
the  answer.  But  our  doctor  knows 
and  we  know  what  happened.  I 
am  sure  that  the  power  of  the 
priesthood  and  the  faith  of  our 
family  and  friends  spared  the  life 
of  my  mother  and  little  brother. 

My  testimony  has  also  been 
strengthened  by  other  incidents  and 
by  people  who  have  been  blessed 
by  the  priesthood  and  their  testi- 
monies that  mean  so  much  to  them. 

Another  aspect  of  the  Church 
which  I  appreciate  and  admire  is 
the  simplicity  of  our  worship.  There 
is  none  of  the  ritual  which  causes 
one  to  worship  everything  but 
Christ.  Wherever  you  go  in  our 
Church,  you  feel  right  in  place.  The 
same  things  are  taught— the  same 
type  of  worship  service.  It  makes 
me  feel  good  to  know  that  other 
people  believe  and  worship  the 
same  as  I  have  been  taught  and 
that  we  are  all  brothers,  being 
guided  by  men  of  authority. 

Speaking  of  authority  brings  to 
mind  another  important  part  of  our 
church  program,  the  conferences— 
a  unique  device  that  keeps  our 
Church  so  united  and  close-knit. 
Through  them  we  can  be  informed 
of  the  latest  words  and  admonitions 
spoken  by  our  ordained  leaders. 

Our  Church  supplies  all  of  the 
basic  essentials  for  a  most  full  and 
profitable  life  if  we  will  just  try  to 
live  as  the  commandments  instruct 
us.  We  are  also  offered  the  oppor- 


tunity to  participate  in  most  church 
affairs  which  affect  so  many  people, 
assisting  them  to  learn  and  under- 
stand the  gospel  and  have  the 
experiences  and  skill  gained  by 
teaching  and  speaking  in  various 
functions  of  the  Church.  The  call 
to  lay  members  of  the  Church  to 
fill  offices  and  callings  helps  unite 
families  into  a  closer  bond  with 
other  families  and  all  families  a 
little  bit  closer  to  the  Church  and 
to  God. 

I  so  much  want  to  be  a  mission- 
ary so  that  I  can  help  bring  about 
the  conversion  of  all  people  which 
has  to  be  accomplished.  I  think  it 
would  be  a  great  satisfaction  to  help 
bring  in  new  spirits  to  the  gospel 
so  that  they,  too,  may  participate 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  change 
their  lives,  and  start  on  their  road 
to  eternal  salvation  with  the  real 
joy  that  awaits  them  in  the  life 
to  come. 

I  am  so  proud  to  have  been  born 
into  my  family,  in  this  Church,  and 
in  this  dispensation.  Now,  if  I  can 
only  live  my  life  to  be  worthy  of 
all  the  wonderful  blessings  in  store 
for  me  and  to  please  my  family  and 
the  Lord  so  that  eventually  I  may 
be  qualified  to  raise  my  own  family 
in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,  I  will  be 
able  to  look  back  and  feel  peace. 
For  I  know  that  this  is  just  the  be- 
ginning and  that  I  am  preparing 
myself  for  an  eternal  life  of  happi- 
ness and  rich  rewards  of  joy  that 
are  promised  to  those  who  live  up 
to  the  principles  of  the  gospel.  I 
only  wish  that  everyone  could  feel 
the  way  I  do  and  start  his  posterity 
on  the  path  of  righteousness  and 
eternal  glory. 

I  say  these  things  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


FALSE    SPRING 

BY   MAUREEN    CANNON 

Something 

Something  soft  and  subtle  felt 
Dimly,  distantly.   They  melt, 
Rivulets  of  snow,  and  earth 
Seeks  them  greedily.   Rebirth? 
Spring's  rebirth?  Soft  day,  and  wet 
And  warm  with   promise   though 

this  be 

Not  yet. 


160 


THE     IMPROVEMENT     FRA 


ieve  in  God;  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he 
ated  all  things,  both  in  heaven  and  in  earth;  believe 
that  he  has  all  wisdom,  and  all  power,  both  in 
heaven  and  in  earth;  believe  that  man 
doth  not  comprehend 

'  the  things  which  the  Lord  can  comprehend. 
Mnd  again,  believe  that  ye  must  repent  of  your  sins 
and  forsake  them,  and  humble  yourselves  before 
God;  and  ask  in  sincerity  of  heart  that  he  would  forgive 
you;  and  now,  if  you  believe  all  these  things 
see  that  ye  do  them. 

Mosiah  4:9-10 


k 


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«  «  •  ft  » 
•  ft  $  *» 

.  fin 


•  •  i  *  ** 

a  km  *  *  *•      aft" 

1«  •  •«•  iw 

*   «  m*   r  _,   „    „► 


BY  JOHN  D. 
ROCKEFELLER,  JR. 


^■; 

M 

BMK3k," 

^  **^fe^^H 

<t.\  ... 

1 BEUEVE 


•• 


I  believe  in  the  supreme  worth  of  the  individual  and  in  his  right  to  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness. 

I  believe  that  every  right  implies. a  responsibility;  every  opportunity,  an  obligation;  every  possession,  a  duty. 

I  believe  that  the  law  was  made  for  man  and  not  man  for  the  law;  that  government  is  the  servant  of  the  people 
and  not  their  master. 

I  believe  in  the  dignity  of  labor,  whether  with  head  or  hand;  that  the  world  owes  no  man  a  living  but  that  it 
owes  every  man  an  opportunity  to  make  a  living. 

I  believe  that  thrift  is  essential  to  well  ordered  living  and  that  economy  is  a  prime  requisite  of  a  sound  finan- 
cial structure,  whether  in  government,  business  or  personal  affairs. 

I  believe  that  truth  and  justice  are  fundamental  to  an  enduring  social  order. 

I  believe  in  the  saeredness  of  a  promise,  that  a  man's  word  should  be  as  good  as  his  bond;  that  character 
—  not  wealth  or  power  or  position  —  is  of  supreme  worth. 

I  believe  that  the  rendering  of  useful  service  is  the  common  duty  of  mankind  and  that  only  in  the  purifying 
fire  of  sacrifice  is  the  dross  of  selfishness  consumed  and  the  greatness  of  the  human  soul  set  free. 

I  believe  in  an  all-wise  and  all-loving  God,  named  by  whatever  name,  and  that  the  individual's  highest  fulfill- 
ment, greatest  happiness,  and  widest  usefulness  are  to  be  found  in  living  in  harmony  with  his  will. 

I  believe  that  love  is  the  greatest  thing  in  the  world;  that  it  alone  can  overcome  hate;  that  right  can  and  will 
triumph  over  might. 


Sight-seeing  in  the  famous  Channel  Gardens  at  Rockefeller 
Center,  New  York  City:  Charles  Dowis,  Claudia  Pehrson,  Penny 
Paine,  Janet  Wendt,  Carter  Wendt,  all  of  Uniondale  Ward;  Linda 
Pearl,  Queens  Ward. 


Looking  at  the  John  D.  Rockefeller  "Credo"  plaque  at  Rocke- 
feller Center,  overlooking  the  ice  skating  rink:  Karen  Pearl, 
Louise  Howell,  Jom  Rose,  Val  Raner,  John  Rose,  all  of  Queens 
Ward,  New  York  Stake,  x 


I  BELIEVF/I'I  BELIEVE'I'I  BELIEVE" 


1 


1 


1 


I  believe  tt°at  honesty  can 
square  its  shoulders  and  meet 
itself  time  and  time  again. 

I  believe  that  diligence  is 
keeping  busy  even  when  there 
seems  to  be  nothing  at  all 
to  do. 

Sharon  Marie  Dennis 
Orem,  Utah 


Development  and  maturity: 
For  these  reasons  we  are  here 
upon  this  earth:  to  develop 
our  bodies  so  that  they  will  be 
strong,  healthy,  clean,  and  fit 
for  a  dwelling  place  for  the 
Spirit  of  God;  to  develop  our 
spirits  by  fellowshiping  with 
the  Saints,  by  studying  the 
Gospels,  and  by  learning  of 
God's  will  for  our  lives;  to 
develop  our  minds,  our  knowl- 
edge, our  intellects,  and  our 
personalities.  In  other  words, 
we  are  to  develop  in  any  way 
possible. 

Norma  Dickey,  17 
Camden,   Maine 


I  believe  that  love  is  the 
highest  expression  of  the  gos 
pel — not  the  kind  of  love 
shown  only  by  generous  gifts 
on  certain  occasions  each 
year,  but  the  kind  of  love 
which  manifests  itself  in  a 
friendly  greeting  and  hand- 
shake, in  wholesome  fun  at 
parties,  and  in  a  willingness  to 
"put  your  shoulder  to  the 
wheel"  to  help  others  in 
trouble  or  sorrow. 

David  C.  Adams, 
Hanover,  New  Hampshire 


164 


THE     IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


"I  BELIEVE  II  BELIEVE"!  "I  BELIEVE" 


T 


l 


1 


I  believe  that  in  our  lives 
happiness  is  one  of  the  most 
important  qualities  we  can 
possess.  We  as  Latter-day 
Saints  enjoy  happiness  be- 
cause we  have  the  restored 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  the 
plan  of  salvation  whereby  we 
can  return  to  our  Heavenly 
Father  if  we  so  live,  and  also 
because  of  the  many  activities 
in  the  Church  where  we  can 
associate  with  friends  and 
share  the  joy  of  working  to- 
gether. As  members  of  the 
Church  we  need  to  appreciate 
more  fully  the  blessings  we 
have  and  share  this  knowledge 
with  others  so  that  they,  too, 
may  possess  the  joy  of  happi- 


Home  life  can  be  pro- 
grammed on  one  of  two  prin- 
ciples: love  or  duty.  Herein 
lies  the  difference. 

I  believe  that  friendship 
can  be  eternal.  We  may  have 
formed  a  friendship  today  that 
will  last  through  eternities, 
and,  likewise,  we  may  have 
broken  one  that  has  lasted 
through  eternities. 

Carolyn  Whittier 
Fairhaven,  Massachusetts 


We  believe  that  we,  the 
chosen  people  of  the  latter 
days,  have  a  mission  to  do  on 
this  earth.  Just  as  the  leaders 
of  the  Church  are  here  to  lead 
us,  we  are  chosen  to  lead  and 
help  other  people  to  come  to 
our    Heavenly    Father's    pres- 


David  Jackson 

Moses  Lake,  Washington 


Judy  Critchlow 
Renfrew,  Pennsylvania 


When  I  awake  each  morn- 
ing, the  first  thing  that  comes 
into  focus  is  a  sign  above  my 
study  desk.  On  that  sign  are 
these  words:  "The  greatest 
competition  I  have  is  myself." 
These  words  remind  me  that  I 
must  strive  to  become  the 
best  "me"  possible. 

Robert  C.  Turner 
Moses  Lake,  Washington 


I  believe  in  people.  I  think 
of  the  people  I  know — the 
strong  spirits  who  walk  in  my 
world:  the  loving,  the  stimulat- 
ing, the  smiling,  the  ones  who 
share  my  secret  joys  and  sor- 
rows, the  ones  who  care. 
These  people  give  freely  of  the 
great  gift  that  is  in  them,  and 
the  light  in  their  eyes  shows 
the  goodness  in  their  souls. 
The  quiet,  radiant  joy  that 
shines  around  these  people — 
surely  this  is  a  beauty  worth 
both  loving  and  emulating. 

Judy  Lindsay,  17 
Erie,  Pennsylvania 


When  you  become  a  Mor- 
mon you  really  enter  into  a 
new  world — a  world  of  love, 
care,  and  cleanliness.  You 
learn  that  you  are  one  of  God's 
children. 

Before  I  was  baptized  into 
the  Church  I  was  taught  many 
things.  One  of  the  things  that 
I  did  not  know  about  before  I 
was  taught  the  gospel  was  the 
"Word  of  Wisdom."  At  the 
time  I  was  told  about  this  com- 
mandment I  used  tea,  but" I 
quit  it  as  soon  as  I  knew  it 
was  wrong. 

In  the  Church  I  am  taught 
to  live  the  commandments  of 
God.  If  I  break  any  one  of 
them,  I  feel  bad  about  it.  Since 
I  have  been  in  the  Church  I 
have  met  the  best  people 
that   I   have  ever  known. 


James  Dee  Hughes 
Dothan,  Alabama 


1 


X 


1 


I  believe  in  the  Latter-day 
Saints  because  they  have  given 
me  the  opportunity  to  pro- 
gress by  helping  me  to  use  my 
talents,  and  because  they 
send  missionaries  to  teach 
those,  like  myself,  who  would 
never  have  had  the  opportunity 
in  this  life  to  become  a  part  of 
the  restored  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Elaine   Mains,    16 

York  Branch 

Eastern  Atlantic  States  Mission 


Some  members  are  under 
the  impression  that  they  must 
sacrifice  their  church  meetings 
for  some  of  the  worldly  things 
which  they  encounter.  One  of 
the  most  common  ones  is  that 
of  schoolwork,  and  the  meet- 
ing neglected  most  for  this 
is  MIA. 

From  my  personal  experi- 
ences I  know  that  attending 
my  church  meetings,  which  my 
family  and  I  have  done,  has 
helped  me  far  more  than  it 
has  ever  hindered  me  in  any 
of  my  school  activities. 

Thomas  Henry 

Cherry  Tree,  Pennsylvania 


I  believe  we  the  youth  of 
the  Church  do  not  quite  real- 
ize our  mission  on  this  earth. 
Here  in  the  South  there  are 
more  non-Mormons  than  Mor- 
mons. It  is  up  to  us  to  set  a 
"jood  example  for  our  school 
chums  and  other  acquaint- 
ances. 

Sandra  Connor 
Savannah  Second  Branch 
Southern  States  Mission 


T67 


Grandma  says, 
"What's  going 
to  become  of  this 
generation?" 


i«\ 


Grandma  says, 
"What's  to 

become  of  this 
generation?" 


Y 


* 


Grandma  says, 
"What's  to 

become  of  this 
generation?" 


■ 


168 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


Grandma  says, 
"This  generation 
is  the  hope 
of  tomorrow." 


Posed  by  Linda  Swenson, 
Holladay  7th  Ward,  Olympus  Stake 


FEBRUARY    1965 


169 


WHY? 


I  walked  along  a  forest  path  one  crisp  December  day. 

The  air  was  touched  with  sunlight,  the  fields  in  silence  lay. 

I  walked  along  a  forest  glade  and  thought  of  days  gone  by. 

The  mist  of  tears  was  in  my  eyes;  why  did  he  have  to  die? 

The  earth  wept  too,  yes  she  did  mourn,  her  mist  of  tears  hung  low. 

And  from  my  eyes  the  tears  fell  free,  why  did  he  have  to  go? 

I  walked  along  a  crimson  hill  and  felt  his  presence  near. 

I  wondered  if  the  Lord  above,  my  woeful  cries  would  hear. 

"Oh  give  me  understanding,  Lord,  let  me  really  know. 

And  tell  me  Lord  theVeason,  why  did  he  have  to  go? 

Why,  I  ask,  what  did  it  gain  to  take  him  so  today? 

And  now  is  man  more  joyful  that  you  have  taken  him  away?" 

My  heart  was  filled  with  sorrow  as  I  stood  there  looking  still 

At  soft  green  grasses  slowly  blowing  on  the  distant  hill. 

And  then  a  voice  from  far  away  spoke  very  soft  and  low: 

""He's  done  his  job,  his  work  is  through,  why  keep  him  there  below? 

Think  you  that  death"  is  end?  Deem  you  his  spirit  gone? 

What  of  the  resurrection?  What  of  its  holy  dawn? 

Think — would  you  have  him  back  to  suffer,  sick  with  pain? 

Would  you  have  him  back,  his  presence  just  to  gain?" 

And  now  the  voice  was  still,  and  now  the  voice  was  gone. 

But  still  within  my  heart  the  words  continued  on: 


"Come  to  me  thou  faithful  servant,  and  I  will  open  up 
the  windows  of  heaven  and  pour  out  a  blessing  too  numerous 
for  you  to  contain.  And  I  will  anoint  your  head  with  oils 
and  come  to  your  aid -with  my  legions  of  angels.  And  of  my 
kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end,  and  your  joy  shall  be  beyond 
report  or  compare,  for  you  shall  come  and  dwell  with  me  in 
the  kingdom  of  the  Most  High  for  ever  and  ever." 


"I  BELIEVE" 


The  voice  was  gone  and  all  was  still,  but  my  head  in  shame 

hung  low. 
Was  it  mine  to  question  or  contradict  God's  wisdom  here  below? 
"I'm  sorry,  Lord.  Please  understand  I  didn't  mean  to  chide. 
Forgive  me,  Father.  Take  my  hand,  my  footsteps  ever  guide. 
Guide  me,  Lord,  and  keep  me  safe;  and  though  I'll  never  understand, 
Keep  me,  Lord,  from  stain  of  sin  until  I  reach  that  holy  land." 
And  now  I  walk'that  distant  hill  as  grasses  slowly  bend. 
Both  my  friend  and  Father  walk  with  me: 
"death  is  really  not  an  end." 


by  Kathy  Anderson,  16 
Salt  Lake  City 


LIVE  THE  LAW 


"I  BELIEVE" 


August  27,  1964 


I  attended  a  funeral  last  June  that  has  impressed  me  so  much 
that  I  felt  moved  to  write  you. 

It  was  the  funeral  of  Jimmie  Edwards,  fifteen  years  of  age.  He 
had  been  killed  by  lightning  while  working  in  the  fields  of  his  parents' 
farm  just  outside  of  Malad  City,  Idaho. 

It  seemed  more  like  a  missionary  farewell  than  a  funeral — at 
least  as  I  had  thought  of  funerals.  I  have  never  felt  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  more  closely  than  during  those  services. 

I  stood  by  the  casket  at  the  side  of  his  mother  for  several  hours 
while  hundreds  of  people  of  that  small  community  filed  past.  It  went 
through  my  mind:  How  could  a  boy  of  so  few  years  have  affected 
so  many  people? 

But  as  I  listened  and  observed  his  friends,  loved  ones,  teachers, 
casual  acquaintances,  and  some  who  I  am  sure  might  never  have 
spoken  to  Jimmie  but  who  had  obviously  observed  him  and,  as  all 
the  rest,  had  been  affected  by  his  fine  example,  I  knew  they  were 
sincere — this  wasn't  just  talk  and  flattering  words  to  console  the 
grief-stricken  parents.  Jimmie  was  and  is  a  very  special  person.  He 
had  been  taught  the  gospel  and  believed  and  truly  lived  it. 

I  hadn't  been  home  long  when  I  received  a  copy  of  a  talk  Jimmie 
ad  prepared  by  himself  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  It  seemed  to 
confirm  the  beautiful  feeling  I  had  in  my  heart  towards  Jimmie. 
Perhaps  you  will  have  occasion  to  share  it  with  other  choice  young 
people  in  the  Church. 

Sincerely  yours, 

Mrs.  Perry  Bird 
Seattle  16,  Washington 


To  us  as  young  people  it  is  very  important  that  we  learn 
the  laws  of  the  gospel,  as  well  as  the  laws  of  our  land.  It  is 
by  obedience  to  these  laws  that  we  live  useful  and  happy 
lives. 

President  David  0.  McKay  has  said,  "Youth — conviction 
— courage  make  a  combination  potentially  capable  of  de- 
termining the  kind  of  world  we  shall  live  in."  (Secrets  of  a 
Happy  Life,  p.  23;  Pathways  to  Happiness,  p.  387.)       ___ 

Youth  also  has  a  challenge  to  overcome  the  temptations 
that  confront  everyone  today.  By  living  the  gospel  law  which 
we  are  privileged  to  learn  in  our  Sunday  School,  priesthood 
meetings,  and  Mutual  and  from  General  Authorities  and 
ward  leaders,  we  can  strengthen  our  characters  and  have 
a  firm  foundation  to  stand  on  and  uphold  the  true  principles 
of  the  gospel,  which  are  truth,  virtue,  honesty,  and  justice. 
Upon  these  rests  the  foundation  of  civilization. 

First,  we  must  be  dependable  when  given  a  task  to  do, 
act  well  our  part,  and  do  the  best  we  can.  We  must  honor 
our  Father  in  heaven  in  all  things  and  not  take  his  name  in 
vain,  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  who  does  that. 

"Be  thankful,"  Benjamin  Franklin  has  said.  "To  the  gen- 
erous mind,  the  heaviest  debt  is  that  of  gratitude." 

These  are  just  a  few  things  which  go  to  strengthen  our 
characters.  And  wise  parents  and  leading  educators  in  the 
nation  today  realize  that  good  citizenship  can  be  attained 
only  through  character  development. 

In  this  free  land  of  America  the  door  of  opportunity  opens 
to  all.  Most  of  the  great  leaders  of  today  were  the  unknown 
boys  of  yesterday.  Through  their  obedience  to  the  principles 
of  the  gospel  and  to  our  Constitution  they  have  given  us  a 
wonderful  heritage  to  live  by. 

We  love  our  country  because  of  the  high  ideals  for  which 
it  stands,  the  freedom  which  it  gives  us  to  work  out  our  own 
ideals,  and  the  promise  which  it  holds  for  the  future  to  make 
all  men  happy  and  free. 

May  we  appreciate  the  teachings  of  the  Master  and  be 
worthy  to  live  in  "the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the 
brave." 

I  say  this  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

Written  at  14„years  of  age 
By  Jimmie  Edwards 

Malad,  Idaho 

Born  April  26,  1949 
Died  June  2,  1964 


Would  you  tell  your  parents  the 
practice  was  over  at  10:00  when 
it  was  really  over  at  9:30? 


*v 


If  you  broke  your  mother's  fa- 
vorite vase  would  you  admit  it? 


Would  you  tell  the  truth  about 

where  you've  been  or  fib  a  little 

to  avoid  controversy? 


Have  you  done  something  help- 
ful for  others  lately? 


172 


THE     IMPROVEMENT     ERA 


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A 


1 

1 

Would  you  withhold  information 
in  a  bishop's  interview? 


Would  you  tell  a  clerk  who  gave 
you  too  much  change? 


You    wouldn't    steal    a    water- 
melon from  a  store — would  you 
from  a  farmer's  field?  is  there 
a  difference? 


c 


Are  you  kind  to  a  newcomer  or 
new  convert? 


Do  you  believe  "finder's  keep- 
ers" if  the  item  is  something 
you  really  want? 


Would  you  take  credit  that  you 
didn't  deserve? 


FEBRUARY    1565 


173 


Youth-  Our  Leaders  of 


Leon  Jensen 


IF" 


Carla  Peterson 


Deanna  Whitaker 


Our  LDS  youth  throughout  the  nation  are  showing  amazing  ability 
in  leadership. 

For  some  of  them,  like  Leon  Jensen,  a  freshman  at  Boise  Junior 
College,  the  day  starts  early  when  there  are  cows  to  milk,  calves  to  feed, 
and  various  other  chores  to  be  done  before  school. 

During  his  senior  year  at  Meridian  (Idaho)  High  School,  Leon  was 
very  busy  in  church  and  school  activities  as  well  as  helping  his  father 
on  the  farm.  But  he  found  time  for  baseball,  softball,  and  singing.  Being 
such  a  busy  person  has  taught  him  to  plan  his  work  well,  leaving  time 
for  his  many  other  activities. 

Carla  Peterson  and  Deanna  Whitaker  are  seniors  at  Meridian  High 
School.  Both  girls  are  graduates  of  seminary  and  taking  their  fourth  year. 
They  are  talented  in  music  and  are  constantly  in  demand  at  school, 
church,  and  in  the  community  to  accompany  soloists  and  groups.  Both 
are  active  in  Future  Homemakers  of  America  and  on  the  newspaper  and 
yearbook  staffs.  In  addition  to  being  honor  students  at  school,  they  win 
high  awards  in  many  fields  and  find  time  for  helping  at  home  and 
handling  part-time  jobs. 

Yes,  these  are  our  typical  teenagers,  our  leaders  of  today  and  certainly 
of  tomorrow. 


174 


THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


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The 

Last 

Word 


So,  in  a  single  night, 
Fair  February  came, 
Bidding  my  lips  to  sing 
Or  whisper  their  surprise, 
With  all  the  joys  of  spring 
And  morning  in  her  eyes. 
— -Francis  Brett  Young 


A  man  called  for  information  at 
the  telephone  office.  V,I  want 
to  speak  with  Mr.  Dill,"  he 
said.  The  operator  asked,  ,vIs  it 
lB'  as  in  Bill?"  The  man  an- 
swered, "No,  'D'  as  in  pickle." 


Love  is  the  blossom  where 
there  blows  Every  thing  that 
lives  or  grows.— Giles  Fletcher 


My  valentine  I  pray  that  thou  wilt  be, 
Not  for  a  day,  but  for  eternity. 

— Charles  Noel  Douglas 


It  is  the  greatest  of  all  sins  to  continue  in  sin;  for  where 
the  custom  of  sinning  waxeth  greater,  the  conscience  for  sin 
grows  the  less.  It  is  easier  to  quench  a  spark  than  a  fire.  I 
would  rather  break  the  cockatrice's  egg  than  kill  the  serpent. 


Advice  is  cheap,  but  good  ex- 
amples cost  something.  This  may 
be  the  reason  why  one  is 
plentiful  and  the  other  scarce. 


Late  February  days;  and  now,  at  last, 

Might  have  thought  that  Winter's  woe  was  past; 

So  fair  the  sky  was  and  so  soft  the  air. 

—William  Morris 


Quietness  is  often  strength;  silence,  wisdom. 
The  swift  stream  is  not  always  powerful,  nor  the 
noisy  one  deepest.  Thus  is  it  with  life;  the  man 
of    moral    strength    can    afford     to    be    patient. 


Men  are  made  rich,  not  by  what  the  world 
can  give,  but  by  what  it  cannot  take  away. 


Much   of  the   charity  that  begins   at 
home  is  too  feeble  to  get  out-of-doors. 


A  man  was  riding  home  with  his  neighbor  in  his  buggy  and  noticed  how  his  neighbor's 
horse  kept  wiggling  his  ears  back  and  forth.  "What's  wrong  with  your  horse?  "he  asked. 
Oh,  nothing's  wrong  with  him.  He's  just  afraid  I'll  say  'whoa'  and  he  won't  hear. 


n 


M 


A  church  speaker  nicked  his  chin 
while  shaving.  "I  was  concentrating 
on  my  talk  and  cut  my  face,"  he 
told  his  wife.  She  replied:  "You 
should  have  been  concentrating 
on  your  face  and  cut  vour  talk." 


Where  do  you  go  when  you  are  at  play?  Do 
you  soar?  Do  you  rise  with  the  eagle  to  the 
lofty  and  the  beautiful?  Or  do  you  descend 
at  will  to  the  low  and  groveling,  to  the 
filthy?  Men  and  women  do  not  reveal  their 
true     characters     until     they     are     at     play. 


176 


THE     IMPROVEMENT     ERA 


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heard 

the  thrilling 

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Baldwin? 


Hear  it  now! 

No  cost  or  obligation* 

Baldwin  Piano  &  Organ  Company 

Box  IE  2-65,  Cincinnati,  Ohio  45202 

Gentlemen: 

Yes,  I  want  your  new  recording,  "The  Church 
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*To  a   bishop,  church  organist,  or  member  of 
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If  a  picture  is  worth  a  thousand  words,  this  record  is  worth  thousands  more.   It  lets  you  hear  the 

thrilling  new  sound  of  the  Baldwin  Church  Organs.    Only  the  organ  itself  can  surpass  the  tonal 

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To  hear  Mr.  Hancock  play  selections  from  Bach  to  contemporary  works  ...  get  this  twelve-inch 

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Recorded  Selections 


Rigaudon 

Campra 

Two  Choral  Preludes 

J.  S.  Bach 

Praise  To  The  Lord 

In  Thee  Is  Gladness 

Chorale  Prelude  On  Blessed 

Are  Ye  Faithful  Souls 

Johannes  Brahms 

Prelude  On  "Brother  James'  Air" 

Searle  Wright 

Tu  Es  Petra  (Thou  Art  The  Rock) 

Henry  Mulet 

Baldwin 


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